Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin
Brigade Effects Coordinator, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard
On Jan. 5, 2006, while serving in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, McLaughlin was on a mission with a team to enlist recruits for the Iraqi police force. While coordinating his team’s efforts with the local people, a suicide bomber infiltrated the crowd of 300 civilians and detonated his bomb. It killed and wounded many, including McLaughlin and others from his team. When asked about his injury, McLaughlin directed treatment to his fellow Soldiers, helping to save their lives. He succumbed shortly thereafter to his wounds. He was awarded both a posthumous Silver Star and Purple Heart. McLaughlin is the highest-ranking Guardsman killed in Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Timothy F. Nein
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
(DSC)
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua D. Betten
Company A, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Florida National Guard
Sgt. Russell L. Collier
Battery A, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, Arkansas National Guard
Spc. Richard A. Ghent
1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, New Hampshire National Guard
Spc. Jason Harrington
Company A, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
1st Lt. Tyler J. Jensen
19th Special Forces Group, Utah National Guard
Spc. Gerrit Kobes
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Washington National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Lewis
Company A, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Florida National Guard
Spc. Jose Maldonado
130th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division
Puerto Rico National Guard
Staff Sgt. Chad Malmberg
Company A, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard
1st Lt. Michael J. McCarty
Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas National Guard
Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin
Brigade Effects Coordinator, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard
Staff Sgt. Michael J. McMullen
243rd Engineer Company, Maryland National Guard
Spc. Jason L. Mike
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
Tech. Sgt. Keary J. Miller
123rd Special Tactics Squadron, Kentucky National Guard
Sgt. Robert S. Pugh
Company A, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, Mississippi National Guard
Staff Sgt. Joseph Proctor
638th Support Battalion (Aviation) Indiana National Guard
1st Sgt. Kevin K. Remington
957th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 142nd Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion, North Dakota National Guard
Spc. Brian M. Sheetz
Company C, 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard
Staff Sgt. Emmett Spraktes
Company C, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion,California National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Chad M. Stephens
Company A, 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Brigade, North Carolina National Guard
Capt. John Vanlandingham
1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, 39th Infantry Brigade, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Mark A. Wanner
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Ohio National Guard
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Whalen
Tactical Air Control Party, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, Washington National Guard
Sgt. Matthew Zedwick
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, 41st Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard