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Six 101st Airborne Division Soldiers killed during training mission

Fort Campbell KY, 101st Airborne DivisionFort Campbell, KY – Six 101st Airborne Division Soldiers died November 29th, while conducting artillery registration during a training mission in the Pachir Wa Agam District, Combat Outpost Lonestar, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan.

An individual in an Afghan Border Police uniform turned his weapon against the Soldiers and was also killed in the incident.

A joint Afghan and International Security Assistance Force team is investigating the incident.

Top (L to R): Alexander Gassen, Barry Edward Jarvis, and Buddy Wendall McLain. Bottom (L to R): Curtis Allen Oakes, Matthew Wayne Ramsey, and Austin Garrett Staggs.
Top (L to R): Alexander Gassen, Barry Edward Jarvis, and Buddy Wendall McLain. Bottom (L to R): Curtis Allen Oakes, Matthew Wayne Ramsey, and Austin Garrett Staggs.

The six Soldiers were all assigned to Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). 

Killed were: Alexander Gassen, Barry Edward Jarvis, Buddy Wendall McLain, Curtis Allen Oakes, Matthew Wayne Ramsey, and Austin Garrett Staggs.

Barry Jarvis

Barry JarvisSergeant 1st Class Barry Edward Jarvis, 36, of Tell City, IN, was a Cavalry Scout who joined the Army in May 1999 and arrived at Fort Campbell in May 2009. His awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Valorous Unit Award; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Drill Sergeant Identification Badge; Combat Action Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Jarvis is survived by his wife, Tina L. Jarvis; daughters, Kitaira and Aleesha Jarvis and sons, Donovan and William, all of Clarksville, Tennessee. He is also survived by his parents, William Jarvis of Atlantic Beach, FL and Alma Jarvis of Tell City, IN.

Curtis Oakes 

Curtis Oakes Staff Sergeant Curtis Allen Oakes, 29, of Athens, Ohio, was a Fire Support Specialist who joined the Army in March 2003 and arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2004.  His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Valorous Unit Award; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Driver and Mechanic Badge; Combat Action Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Oakes is survived by his wife, Brandy Oakes; son, Bradley Oakes and step-son, Tyler Jones, all of Clarksville, Tennessee.  Oakes is also survived by his daughter Mia Robus of White City, KS and his parents Terry and Valarie Oakes of Athens, Ohio.

Matthew Ramsey

Matthew RamseySpecialist Matthew Wayne Ramsey, 20, of Quartz Hill, CA, was an Infantryman who joined the Army in April 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2008. His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal and Air Assault Badge.

Ramsey is survived by his wife, Mirella Ramsey; son, Zachary Ramsey of Lancaster, CA and parents, Wayne and Melissa Cochran of Quartz Hill, CA.

Austin Staggs

Austin StaggsPrivate 1st Class Austin Garrett Staggs, 19, of Senoia, GA, was a Fire Support Specialist who joined the Army in September 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2010.  His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.

Staggs is survived by his wife, Sheena Staggs of Clarksville, Tennessee; son, Kallen O’Neal of Weatherford, Texas; parents, Byram Staggs of Senoia, GA and Kaye Jordan of Weatherford, Texas. 

Jacob Gassen

Jacob GassenPrivate 1st Class Jacob Alexander Gassen, 21, of Beaver Dam, WI, was a Combat Medic, who joined the Army in September 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in April 2010.  His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.

Gassen is survived by his parents, Gregory and Barbara Gassen of Beaver Dam, WI.

Wendall McLain

Wendall McLainPrivate Buddy Wendall McLain, 24, of Mexico, Maine, was a Cavalry Scout, who joined the Army in May 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2009.  His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.

McLain is survived by his wife, Chelsea McLain and son, Owen McLain, both of Peru, Maine.  He is also survived by his parents, Larry and Patti McLain of Mexico, Maine.

Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony to honor fallen Screaming Eagles. The next ceremony will be held December 8th at 4:00pm at the Family Resource Center.

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