I first saw this on facebook and then found it replicated all over the web, where it has been re-posted thousands of times in the last few days. I agree with the sentiment, but found the facts less than 100% accurate.
Lindsay Lohan, 24, is all over the news because she's a celebrity drug addict. While Justin Allen, 23, Brett Linley, 29, Matthew Weikert, 29, Justus Bartett, 27, Dave Santos, 21, Chase Stanley, 21, Jesse Reed, 26, Matthew Johnson, 21, Zachary Fisher, 24, Brandon King, 23, Christopher Goeke, 23, and Sheldon Tate, 27 are all Marines that gave their lives this week, no media mention. Honor THEM by reposting.
I rarely re-post something like that, but I felt this was compelling so I checked it out in more detail. It turns out that all 12 were killed serving in Afghanistan between July 10 and 16, not this week, all were Americans except Brett Linley, of Birmingham UK, who served in the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps. Nine of the 12 served in the US Army, not the Marines. Extensive searching found no record of
Justus Bartett, but I was able to find an obituary for 27 year old Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt , of Polo, Ill, and I concluded that his name was likely transcribed incorrectly at some point.
Here are more details on each individual with references. God Bless them and their families for their courageous self sacrifice.Justin B. Allen, 23
Sgt. Justin B. Allen, 23, of Coal Grove, Ohio, died July 18, 2010 in Zhari, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was shot by insurgents while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
refs:
Warriors' watch Riders Forumsmilitarytimes.com database//////////
Brett Linley, 29
Staff Sergeant Brett George Linley of Birmingham, from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps, serving with the Counter-IED Task Force, died in Afghanistan Saturday 17 July 2010.
Staff Sergeant Linley was 29 and from Birmingham. He and his team were working to clear Improvised Explosive Devices from a vital route in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province when he was killed by an explosion.
Sources
BBC: July 22, 2010
http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/5913068////////////
JACKSONVILLE - Staff Sergeant
Matthew W. Weikert, 29, of Jacksonville was mortally wounded on Saturday, July 17, 2010, while serving with the U.S. Army near Orgun, Afghanistan.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in August of 2001 serving three tours in Iraq over four years. He later joined the U.S. Army serving with the 101st Airborne completing a tour in Iraq and was currently deployed in Afghanistan. As a military team leader, Matt was adamant that his personal mission was to properly prepare the soldiers under his command and keep them safe from harm.
refs:
legacy.com/obituarieshttp://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-matthew-w-weikert/4716077/////////////
Justus Bartett, 27 >> extensive searching produced no results for Justus Barett; however, there was a
Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt, who Died July 16, 2010 serving in Afganistan
Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt 27, of Polo, Ill.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
The Associated Press
Justus Bartelt was born on the Fourth of July and decided roughly a dozen years later that he would to serve the country whose independence that day celebrates.
“He was a best friend to those who knew him as a friend,” she said. “He was a true and loyal family member and he was a true and loyal marine.”
Bartelt joined the Marines after graduating from Polo Community High School in Polo, Ill., in 2001.
When he was deployed in February, he instructed his mother not to worry.
The 27-year-old died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province during his third tour of duty. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
ref:
militarytimes.com////////////
Dave Santos, 21
Marine Cpl. Dave M. Santos died July 16, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Ref
Military times database////////////
Army Spc.
Chase Stanley died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Napa, Calif.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army Specialists, Stanley, Reed, Johnson, and Fisher were killed in the same IED attack on July 14.
ref:
Military times database////////////
Army Spc.
Jesse D. Reed died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
26, of Orefield, Pa.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref:
military times database////////////
Army Spc.
Matthew J. Johnson died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Maplewood, Minn.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref:
military times database////////////
Army Sgt.
Zachary M. Fisher died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
24, of Ballwin, Mo.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref:
military times database////////////
Army Pvt.
Brandon M. King died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
23, of Tallahassee, Fla.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 14 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.
ref:
military times database///////////
Army 1st Lt.
Christopher S. Goeke died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
23, of Apple Valley, Minn.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
ref:
military times database///////////
Army Staff Sgt.
Sheldon L. Tate died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
27, of Hinesville, Ga.; assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
ref:
military times database///////////
updated : Sept 27, closing the loop. Further searching seems to confirm my conclusion that the name of Justus Bartelt was misspelled somewhere along the way. Here is a very similar comment posted July 26 on a TMZ website. This version has 10 of the 12 names, with the correct spelling of Bertelt's name, and no reference to which branch of service they served.
Lindsey Lohan who? I cant believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20-something yr old. Here are a few 20 yr-olds worth knowing about: Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matt Weikert 29, Justus Bartelt 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew King 23, Christopher Goeke 23, & Sheldon Tate 27. These 20-somethings gave their lives for you this week. Repost if you support the Military
