A United States Air Force Airman, Airman First Class Brian Berry served from 1985 to 1987 in the intelligence field as an Imagery Interpreter.

His duties included analyzing reconnaissance film from the SR-71 Blackbird in support of overseas surveillance missions during the Cold War, including monitoring activities involving the Soviet Union and other foreign nations.

Airman First Class Berry held a top-secret security clearance and supported intelligence operations requiring careful analysis, accuracy, and discretion.

A United States Army Soldier, Private First Class Phil Boyle Jr. served from 1951 to 1952 with the 11th Airborne Division.

Inspired by the servicemen and servicewomen of World War II, he enlisted in the Army and became a proud paratrooper, completing 24 jumps during his service. He was based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and also trained at Fort Drum, New York.

Private First Class Boyle’s military service ended in 1952 after the death of his father, when he returned home to help care for his family. He is being honored posthumously.

A United States Army Soldier, Private First Class Charles Carter served from 1943 to 1945 during World War II with the 8th Infantry Division, 13th Infantry Regiment.

His service included landing at Utah Beach during the invasion of Normandy, the liberation of France, and the Allied advance into Germany. He later recalled French civilians handing bottles of wine to American soldiers as they advanced through the country. He completed his service after Germany’s surrender.

Private First Class Carter was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army of Occupation Medal in recognition of his service. He is being honored posthumously.

A United States Marine, Sergeant Glen Clacher served from 2003 to 2007 with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, India Company, and later with a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST Company).
He deployed to Iraq, including Ramadi in 2006, where he supported combat operations during the Global War on Terrorism.

Sergeant Clacher was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation in recognition of his service.

A United States Army Soldier, Technician Fifth Grade Robert DeSocio served from March 1, 1943 to November 22, 1945 during World War II.

He served with Company B, 395th Infantry Regiment as an Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Crewman. As part of a four-man crew operating a quad .50 caliber gun mounted on an M16 half-track, he serviced and fired weapons in combat against enemy forces.

His service included 16 months overseas and participation in six major campaigns, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He contributed to the Allied ground offensive across Europe during the war.
Technician Fifth Grade DeSocio was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with six bronze stars and the Good Conduct Medal in recognition of his service. He is being honored posthumously.

A United States Army Soldier, Benjamin Fischer served from May 2002 to May 2006 with Fox Company, 51st Infantry, a Long-Range Surveillance unit assigned to the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, 525th Military Intelligence Brigade.

He deployed twice to Iraq, first from January 2003 to January 2004 during the initial invasion, and again from November 2004 to November 2005. As an Airborne Infantryman and Military Freefall qualified Long Range Surveillance Soldier, his missions included reconnaissance, surveillance, combat patrols, and counterinsurgency operations in areas including Samawah, An Najaf, Baghdad, Mosul, Tal Afar, Sinjar, and Al Asad.

During his deployments, he served as a Scout and later as the primary Radio Telephone Operator for small Long Range Surveillance teams, providing real-time intelligence, monitoring insurgent activity, and supporting operations with Kurdish forces near the Iranian and Turkish borders.

Benjamin Fischer was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Airborne Badge, Military Freefall Badge, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal in recognition of his service.

A United States Army Infantry officer, Major David Forrester served from 2004 to 2024, completing 20 years of service.

He deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He commanded both Charlie Company, an infantry rifle company and, Headquarters and Headquarters Company within the 10th Mountain Division.

In the final years of his career, Major Forrester taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Department of Military Instruction and served as Player Development Lead for Army Football and Army Lacrosse.

Major Forrester was awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, multiple Army Commendation Medals, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals in recognition of his service.

A United States Marine Reservist, Gunnery Sergeant David Fuertes began serving in 2007 and continues to serve today. He is an Infantry Unit Leader and currently serves as Operations Chief with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.

He deployed to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan in 2018 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Both deployments included combat missions, and while in Afghanistan he also advised Republic of Georgia Army units.

Gunnery Sergeant Fuertes has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal in recognition of his service.

A United States Coast Guardsman, Seaman Michael Gonzalez served from 2005 to 2008 as a Fireman Engineer at Station Noyo River in Fort Bragg, California.

His service included patrols and search and rescue operations in the Pacific, radio dispatch communication with mariners, and maintenance of Coast Guard small boats.

During his assignment at Station Noyo River, he participated in the Coast Guard response to a fatal great white shark incident near Fort Bragg, after a mayday call was received from mariners near Kibesillah Rock. The incident drew national attention and was later featured on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week.

As part of Station Noyo River, he supported the Coast Guard’s mission to protect lives, assist mariners, and maintain readiness along the Northern California coast.

A United States Marine, Sergeant Thomas J. Hayes III served from 2012 to 2020 as an infantryman and machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines.

He deployed to Afghanistan in 2018 in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel, serving in highly kinetic Helmand Province. His service included security operations for Task Force Southwest and training Afghan Army forces.

Sergeant Hayes was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal in recognition of his service.

A United States Navy Sailor, Second Class Petty Officer Kenneth F. Kelly served from 1998 to 2003 as an Aviation Ordnanceman aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

He completed two deployments to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Working in the weapons magazine below deck, he served as a Team Leader responsible for ordnance buildout and quality assurance, supporting F-14, F A 18, and SH 60 aircraft operations.

Petty Officer Kelly was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation in recognition of his service.

A United States Army Soldier, Specialist Stephen Michael Kaplan served from 2008 to 2014 with 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

He deployed to Iraq from 2009 to 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, operating in Tal Afar, Sinjar, Wardiya, and Bara Khware. Serving as a Motor Transport Operator and .50 caliber gunner, his duties included convoy security and patrol operations in northern Iraq.

During his deployment, he worked alongside the 36th Engineer Brigade to upgrade Iraqi Army force protection measures, contributing to the improvement of eight border checkpoints from Tal Afar to the Syrian border in a challenging operational environment.

Specialist Kaplan was awarded the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal in recognition of his service.

A United States Army Soldier, Specialist Four William Nolan served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 after being drafted in January 1968.

He served as a Communications Specialist with the 37th Signal Battalion in Da Nang and the Quảng Nam Province. His duties included guarding communications facilities and safeguarding top secret communications as they were received, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information during the Vietnam War.

In July 1969, Specialist Nolan was named Soldier of the Month and earned six days of rest and recuperation in recognition of his service.

A United States Marine, Sergeant Brad Peck served on active duty from 2016 to 2020, completing a four year enlistment.

He served with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, supporting the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. His work with Ground Support Maintenance Company included machining, manufacturing, welding, fabrication, repair, and modification of equipment to meet mission requirements across Okinawa, mainland Japan, and Hawaii.

Sergeant Peck was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal in recognition of his service.

A United States Marine, Corporal Doug Ruiz served with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps deployment to Beirut, Lebanon, from 1982 to 1983.

His service took place during the Multinational Force peacekeeping mission amid the Lebanese Civil War. Marines in Beirut supported U.S. peace initiatives, conducted security and presence operations, and served alongside allied forces in an increasingly unstable environment.
Corporal Ruiz completed his service in 1984 and was awarded the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal in recognition of his service.

A United States Army Soldier, First Sergeant Jose Sanchez served as an Engineer from 1999 to 2024, supporting operations across multiple global deployments.

He deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 and 2013, Iraq in 2003, and later to Kuwait and Syria in 2017 and Kuwait again in 2022 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Throughout his career, he also conducted humanitarian missions in Honduras, Panama, Thailand, Egypt, and Guatemala.

First Sergeant Sanchez served with units including the 306th Engineer Company, 411th Engineer Battalion, and 310th Military Police Battalion. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with “C” Device in recognition of his service.

A United States Navy Sailor, Petty Officer Third Class Justin Vanasco served from 2013 to 2017 as a Master at Arms during one four year enlistment.

He was assigned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, where he provided security for a critical fueling hub supporting U.S. naval operations throughout the Mediterranean.

Petty Officer Vanasco was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal in recognition of his service.