Remember Them-CPT Ferrera, SGT Mersman, CPL Roque, CPL Langevin, SPC Lancour & Marine SGT Bocks

 

 

On 9 November 2007 five Soldiers of the 173rd, 2-503 "Chosen Few" and a Marine attached to them were killed while returning to Firebase Bella in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  Please take a few minutes today to remember them; to pray for them and to honor them.  And also pray for their families, brothers in arms and friends who miss them every day. 

 

 

14 October 1983 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

CPT Matthew C. Ferrara was born on 14 October 1983 in Torrance, California, and he graduated and was commissioned from the United States Military Academy at West Point on 28 May 2005 as an Infantry officer.

CPT Ferrara completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia and reported to Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy for his first duty assignment.  Matt was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry as the Platoon Leader of First Platoon.

In May 2007, CPT Ferrara deployed with the company to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII.  On 22 August 2007, CPT Ferrara led his men to thwart a deliberate enemy attack on the Aranas Combat Outpost (Ranch House) by a numerically superior force.  For his valorous and heroic actions that day he was submitted for the Silver Star.

CPT Ferrara’s awards include: Silver Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

CPT Ferrera  a graduate of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point had an older brother who had graduated from the academy.  At the time of Matt's death he had another brother attending the academy as well as a younger brother in ROTC at the Univerity of Souther California. He held dual citizens ship in the USA and New Zealand.  Matt was the first New Zealander to die in combat in Afghanistan.  Matt's mother wrote an article for the New Zealand Listener.  I encourage you to take the time to read her article.  Matt's family continues to work tirelessly in support of the wounded and deployed military personnel.

 

11 May 1984 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

SGT Jeffery S. Mersman was born on 11 May 1984 in Paola, Kansas.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 15 January 2002. 

SGT Mersman served in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division as a Grenadier and Rifle Team Leader.  While in this unit, SGT Mersman deployed three times in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM before reporting for duty at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy.  

SGT Mersman was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as a Rifle Team Leader in August 2006.  He deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDUING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007.  During this deployment, SGT Mersman participated in numerous combat patrols and manned a critical observation point at Bella Combat Outpost in Nuristan Province providing surveillance and early warning of enemy activity.
 
SGT Mersman’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

SGT Mersman had served three combat tours in Iraq prior to his tour in Afghanistan.  His family remembers him here.  The rescue pilots recount the night of the recovery of SGT Mersman in this article.  SGT Mersman's father also comments in the article.  I encourage you to take the time to read this article.

                                                      4 December 1983 – 9 November 2007

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2dn Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

CPL Lester G. Roque was born on 4 December 1983 in Obando, Bulacan, Philippines where he spent most of his childhood.   He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 2 February 2005.

During his time in service, CPL Roque completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Medical Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.  On 10 October 2005, CPL Roque reported to his first duty station at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.  After his arrival, he immediately joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VI where he was assigned as a trauma medic.  Due to his maturity and leadership, he was assigned as the Chosen Company Senior Medic where he served with distinction.  During OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII, CPL Roque established two aid stations at Combat Outposts Bella and Aranas (Ranch House), conducted numerous combat patrols, and established a local national clinic to increase the healthcare for the surrounding populace. 

CPL Roque’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

Photos from CPL Roque's memorial service can be viewed here.  And in this blog tribute you can read more about CPL Roque including his love affair with is beloved wife Leikathryn.

17 August 1984 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

CPL Sean K. Langevin was born on 17 August 1984 in Walnut Creek, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 14 February 2006. 

After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georiga, CPL Langevin reported to his first duty station at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy.  He was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as an Automatic Rifleman.  CPL Langevin deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007. 

During his time in Afghanistan, CPL Langevin went on numerous combat patrols.  He was also involved in a violent firefight with enemy forces at the Aranas Combat Outpost (Ranch House) on 22 August 2007.  For his heroic actions during the Ranch House attack, CPL Langevin was submitted for the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. 

CPL Langevin’s awards include:  Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

CPL Lagnevin was an Eagle Scout.  He is survived by his wife Jessica who was expecting their first child, a daughter, at the time of his death.

 

                                                          26 June 1986 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

SPC Joseph M. Lancour was born on 26 June 1986 in Cadillac, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 8 February 2006. 

After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and attending Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, SPC Lancour arrived at Caserma, Ederle in Vicenza, Italy for his first duty assignment.  SPC Lancour was immediately assigned as a Rifleman in Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

SPC Lancour conducted his first deployment to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007.  During his service, SPC Lancour participated in numerous combat patrols and manned a critical observation post at Bella Combat Outpost providing security and observation of the surrounding mountainous terrain.

SPC Lancour’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge

SPC Lancour's family and high school staff talk about what great young man he was here and here.

SGT Bocks was an only child.  His family tells a little about his childhood and his service iin the Marine Corps in this article.  Friends remember SGT Bocks here.  There are two wonderful memorial videos of SGT Bocks here and here

I will never forget the first time I watched and listened to the following rescue/recovery video from the ambush near Aranas of the men who had been on patrol from Firebase Bella in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  The rescue/recovery operation lasted over 24 hous.  God Bless the helicopter pilots and medevac personnel who risk their lives every day for the wounded and fallen.

 

All fine looking young Americans taken way too soon.  Rest in Peace Brave Warriors. I will NEVER forget you.