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4 of the 5 101st Airborne soldiers killed in IDE blast identified

Fort Campbell, KY – Five 101st Airborne Division Soldiers died June 7th when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Dangam district, Kunar province, Afghanistan.

All five Soldiers were assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY.   


The soldiers killed are as follows:

Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala

Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala
Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala

Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala, 23, of Yigo, Guam, was an indirect fire infantryman (mortars) who entered the Army in August 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2009.

His awards and decorations include: Purple Heart; Army Achievement Medal (3 awards); Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification: M4-(expert);

He is survived by his wife, Deniece N. Lukeala and daughter, Maiya L. Lukeala, of Hanford, CA; and parents, Anthony and Dorothy Lukeala of Yigo, Guam.

Spc. Matthew R. Catlett

Spc. Matthew R. Catlett
Spc. Matthew R. Catlett

Spc. Matthew R. Catlett, 23, of Houston, TX, was an infantryman who entered the Army in October 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2007.

His awards and decoration include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (3 awards); Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification: M4 (expert);

He is survived by his wife, Brytnee L. Catlett, and two daughters: Ryann and Stephanie Catlett of Houston, TX; his mother Jerrie Catlett of Houston, TX; and father, Darrel Catlett of TX.

Spc. Charles S. Jirtle

Spc. Charles S. Jirtle
Spc. Charles S. Jirtle

Spc. Charles S. Jirtle, 29, of Lawton, OK, was an indirect fire infantryman (mortars) who entered the Army in July 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in November 2007.

His awards and decorations include; Army Achievement Medal (2 awards); National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic and Weapons Qualification:  M4-(expert) He is survived by his wife, Savannah L. Jirtle of Fort Campbell; daughters Cheyenne and Chelsie and son, Jordan of Lawton, OK; and his parents, Terry L. and Virginia C. Jirtle of Lawton, OK.

Spc. Blaine E. Redding

Spc. Blaine E. Redding
Spc. Blaine E. Redding

Spc. Blaine E. Redding, 22, of Plattsmouth, NE, was an indirect fire infantryman (mortars) who entered the Army in September 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2008.

His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal (2 awards); Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Air Assault Badge and Weapons Qualification: M4-(expert); He is survived by his wife, Victoria Redding of Lincoln, NE; mother, Teresa Redding of Elmwood, NE; and father, Blaine Redding, of Lincoln, NE.

The fifth Soldier has not yet been identified by the Department of Defense.

A memorial service will be held in Afghanistan.

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