US troops killed in Afghanistan and Africa

Bryan Hoover excelled at track, football and wrestling while attending Elizabeth Forward High School in Elizabeth, Pa.

The 2000 graduate returned after earning a bachelor's degree in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania to coach students in track and cross country. He also volunteered with several youth sports programs.

"He was a great young man and a great coach and role model," said Kerry Hetrick, the school's athletic director. "The kids looked up to him. He was always visible and working with the students."

Hoover, 29, had a second career. He was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, based in Connellsville, Pa., and a former Marine.

He was serving in Afghanistan's Zabul province on June 11 when he was killed in a bombing attack.

"It was his childhood dream to be in the military -- that was all we ever played as kids," said his brother, Rick Hoover. "It was what he lived and died for."

Bryan Hoover had planned to marry his fiancee, Ashley Tack, in February.

He also leaves behind his father, Melvin "Sam" Hoover.

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Army Pfc. Gunnar R. Hotchkin

Gunnar Hotchkin wasn't keen on the idea of going to Afghanistan, but it was a way to provide for his family, and he was all about that.

"He had an unnaturally brazen joy for life," said Hotchkin's brother, Kurt. "You had to like him."

The 31-year-old paratrooper from Naperville, Ill., was one of two soldiers who died June 16 in North Kunduz of wounds from a roadside bombing. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.

Since childhood, Hotchkin had exhibited charisma and a great sense of leadership, as well as a memorable smile, said Preston Bokos, a longtime friend. Hotchkin worked hard, kept people laughing and supported his team, whether it was at a swim meet or in combat.

He graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 1997 and was an All-American swimmer. He worked as a superintendent for a home-building company and enlisted in 2009 after being laid off.

When he was overseas, his sister-in-law said Hotchkin was "living phone call to phone call" to hear the voices of his wife, Erin, as well as his sons, Ethan and Tristan, and stepdaughter, Taylor.

Hotchkin also is survived by his parents, Christine and Randy.

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Army Staff Sgt. James P. Hunter

James Hunter was a storyteller who put his talents to use at the Army's public affairs office. He was an Army journalist, assigned to Fort Campbell who worked hard at his job.

Hunter once ran his brigade's public affairs office for several months because no commissioned officer was available to handle the job, Brig. Gen. Thomas Richardson said.

Hunter, 25, was on a much different assignment on June 18. He was on foot patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when his unit was bombed. He died in the blast. He had arrived in Afghanistan less than a month earlier, having served two previous tours in Iraq.

ABC News journalist Mike Gudgell worked with Hunter and called him a "a leader of men."

"He had an enormously important responsibility to see that not only soldiers' families knew about the lives of their soldiers, but also to help the American public understand the life of a soldier in war time," Gudgell posted on a newspaper website.

"He's my colleague in every sense," Gudgell wrote.

Hunter joined the Army in 2003 after graduating from Firelands High School in Oberlin, Ohio. He had proposed to his girlfriend, Candice Clark, on Valentine's Day.

Survivors include his parents, Tom Hunter and Patricia Phillips.

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Army Spc. Charles S. Jirtle

The priority for Charles Jirtle -- Scott, really, because everyone called him by his middle name -- was taking care of his family.

He joined the Army after the birth of his third child to make sure they'd have health insurance, said his father, Terry Jirtle.

They were always on his mind, as shown in the last posting he left on Facebook, about his wife: "Savannah is having a real problem with this deployment, and I pray to God that He will watch over her and my children."

She was pregnant with his fourth child when he was killed by a roadside bomb June 7 in Konar, Afghanistan. The baby will be named after his father, pastor Trey Smart said at Jirtle's funeral.

The 29-year-old from Lawton, Okla., was assigned to Fort Campbell and had served in Iraq.

He was the youngest of five brothers, which was a good thing when they sent him to persuade his father and mother, Virginia, to give the boys money for ice cream. It was more of a challenge at other times, such as their home wrestling matches after family bowling on Friday nights.

He attended Lawton's MacArthur High School.

Survivors include his two daughters, son and stepdaughter.

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Army Spc. Joseph D. Johnson

When Joseph "Joe" Johnson joined the Army, he gave his all to it.

"So he would call you in the middle of a minefield and say 'Hey mom, guess where I'm at,'" the Rev. W. Glen Gardener said at Johnson's memorial.

Johnson, 24, of Flint, Mich., was one of two soldiers who died June 16 at North Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds from an improvised explosive device. He enlisted in the Army in 2006 and was assigned to Fort Bragg.

"Joey was such a hard worker and full of life," said Jim Pope, a church youth director who led Johnson and other high school students on mission trips to low-income neighborhoods. "He really was the guy everyone wanted around."

The 2004 graduate of Carman-Ainsworth High School was witty and didn't mind taking risks. That made raising him an adventure for his parents, Dennis and Teri.

Letters from loved ones that were read at his funeral reflected on his sense of humor, his daring stunts and his love for his family.

"You always lived for a thrill," said one from his sister, Jennifer Pollack. "Sometimes being an idiot, but I loved you."

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Army Pfc. Anthony T. Justesen

Tony Justesen met his stepfather when he was 6, starting a long relationship with a hug.

"Within five minutes of meeting me he was hugging me," Steven Rehder said. "One of my fondest memories of my son was when I took him to start school. He was 8 years old and he was hugging his teachers like they were family members."

Justesen, 22, was killed June 23 in Ganjkin, a village in Farah province. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.

He would have ended his Afghanistan tour this month.

"I just wanna go home," he wrote June 20 on his Facebook page.

Justesen, who was from Wilsonville, Ore., attended St. Luke's Academy in nearby Woodburn. He earned a GED through the Oregon National Guard's Youth Challenge program and then joined the military.

He eventually wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.

"He wanted to go out and serve and protect. And I have no clue where he got this from. It's all him. I haven't been in the Army, my dad didn't serve; this all came from Tony's heart," Rehder said.

He also is survived by family members who include his mother, Shawna; sisters Teniele Justesen, 23, Samantha Justesen, 20, and Kimberley Rehder, 12; and half-brother Jeromie Rehder, 15.

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Army Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek

Erick J. Klusacek was a patriot who loved that you couldn't spell his last name without the letters "USA."

He joined the Army in 2007 after graduating from General Brown Central High School in Dexter, N.Y. Soon he was serving in Iraq, and later Afghanistan.

He also got married in 2007. He and his wife, Amber, had a daughter, Makella, whom he adored.

The 22-year-old died June 8 in a vehicle accident in Gerda Serai, Afghanistan. He was stationed at his birthplace, Fort Campbell, Ky., where the family lived during his father's service.

His brother, Kris Klusacek, also is a Fort Campbell soldier. The two had talked about the possibility of death, and each promised to take care of the other's family should something happen to one of them.

"I've been pretty strong through this whole thing. ... I know he would be, so I'm just trying to fulfill it," Kris Klusacek said. Klusacek also is survived by his parents, Ronald and Sheila Klusacek.

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Army Spc. Andrew R. Looney

Perhaps more than anything, Andrew R. Looney was a determined soldier, one who held comrades to a high standard.

After losing part of his right foot in a roadside bombing in Iraq, he spent a year recuperating and getting fitted with a prosthesis but decided to stick with the Army.

He was a fearless, steadfast man who was "courageous in the face of adversity," said a friend, Samuel Johnson.

Looneys family said he felt the Army was his calling.

The 22-year-old from Owasso, Okla., died June 21 at Lar Sholtan Village in Afghanistan of wounds from a suicide bomber attack. He was assigned to Fort Campbell and had served in Iraq.

Brenda Casey, the principal of Mills Elementary School, said she remembered Looney as a "little kid with a big heart" and expressive eyes.

"He brought us all joy," she said, "and he always brought a smile to your face."

He joined the military after graduating in 2005 from Owasso High School, where he played football.

Survivors include his parents, Martha and Richard; a brother, Steven; and a sister, Joanna.

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Army Staff Sgt. Edwardo Loredo

When Edwardo Loredo joined the Army and went to boot camp, it was a secret he kept to himself.

"I think just because he wanted to do something on his own," said Elizabeth Huff, his cousin. "He's an adventurer."

Loredo died June 24, a day before his 35th birthday, at Jelewar, Afghanistan, when insurgents bombed his unit. The Houston native and Sam Houston High School graduate was assigned to Fort Bragg. He also served in Iraq.

Loredo considered the Army to be family, Huff said, noting it was where he met his wife, 1st Sgt. Jennifer Laredo.

She deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year. In the meantime, he moved their family into a new house, picked out the furniture and set it up, Huff said.

Relatives said Loredo was a family guy whose romantic side came out when he cooked for his wife. They said he adored his children, 2-year-old Eddie, 7-year-old Laura and 13-year-old Alexis.

He's also survived by his brothers, Sylvester, Alfredo and Angel.

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Army Sgt. Joshua Lukeala

Joshua Lukeala was remembered as a family man who liked to carry his 3-year-old daughter and take her to the beach to play.

After he left for Afghanistan in May, his daughter asked repeatedly, "Where's Daddy?" said First Sgt. Gene Guzman, Lukeala's uncle.

Lukeala, 23, of Yigo, Guam, was killed June 7 by a roadside bomb in Konar. His remains were returned home to Guam on Father's Day in a flag-draped casket, and a ceremony was held for him in an air cargo warehouse in Tiyan.

"He like all the other soldiers out there are fighting for our freedom," said Lukeala's aunt Therese Guzman. "It's very unfortunate that it's Father's Day and his father had to bring him home."

Lukeala enlisted soon after graduating from Simon Sanchez High School in 2005. He was assigned to Fort Campbell and completed an Iraq tour before his deployment to Afghanistan.

He is survived by his daughter, Maya, and wife, Deniece Nave Lukeala.

"He was a true blue soldier ... a soldier that never did anything wrong," said Guam National Guard Maj. Gen. Donald Goldhorn, who attended the ceremony last month for Lukeala.

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Army Pfc. Russell E. Madden

Russell Madden would play guitar and sing for his two sons while he was overseas -- he had a Webcam so they could see him entertain.

"He made up songs, not real songs, but funny songs, just to make everyone laugh," said his sister, Lindsey Madden. "He was a riot, always singing and dancing."

Family and friends remembered his dedication to the children he coached in Pee Wee football, but especially the sacrifice he made for his 4-year-old son Parker. The boy suffers from the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, and Madden enlisted in the military to make sure his son always had good medical care.

"Where he had been working he had no benefits or anything like that, so he joined because he knew that Parker would always be taken care of no matter what," Lindsey Madden said.

Russell Madden, 29, of Dayton, Ky., was killed June 23 in Konar province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He was based in Germany.

He also was remembered as a speedy, athletic football player who would run through Bellevue High School's hallways and steps to stay in shape when it was too cold to train outside.

Madden also is survived by his wife, Michelle, and stepson, Jared.

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Marine Cpl. Donald M. Marler

Donald Marler was a "captivating, charismatic young man who knew no strangers," according to his family.

He'd always been a natural leader, even as a youngster among a group of grandchildren, said his grandmother, Vallie Marler.

The 22-year-old corporal from St. Louis, Mo., died June 6 in a vehicle accident in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He'd previously worked on the security detail at Camp David, the presidential retreat, and even called home to talk about playing basketball with President Barack Obama. Then he was assigned to Camp Pendleton and requested a combat assignment in Afghanistan.

"He was afraid he wasn't going to get to go," his grandmother said.

Marler had been a basketball player at school and enjoyed other sports, including football, swimming and track, she said. He graduated in 2006 from Oakville Senior High School but skipped commencement to join the Marines.

His roommate at Camp David, Marine Sgt. Joe Solberg, said Marler had been part of a tight-knit group there.

Survivors include his parents, David Marler Sr. and Susan Marler; sister, Jennifer; and brothers, David and Jacob.

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Army 2nd Lt. Michael E. McGahan

Michael McGahan had it all planned out: He married his high school sweetheart, Miranda. He was to continue his career serving and leading in the military. And she would go to medical school.

McGahan's grandfathers had served in World War II, and that stirred his interest in being the military. He had hoped to be a career officer, said his uncle Sam McGahan Jr.

"He wanted to do something bigger than himself," said his father, Tim McGahan. "He knew the dangers and still wanted to serve.

Michael McGahan, 23, of Orlando, Fla., was killed June 6 in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, when his unit came under attack. His family said everyone had hit the ground during the firefight, and the soldiers were then given the all-clear to get up. McGahan was the only one who didn't get up.

He was assigned to Fort Campbell. He had graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 with a degree in political science.

Mike Pope of Valdosta, Ga., wrote in an online memorial that his son had gone through officer training with McGahan.

"Michael was the soldier of the cycle ... they all looked up to him," Pope wrote.

Other survivors include McGahan's mother, Carolyn, and brother, Max.

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David T. Miller

David Taylor Miller moved from Amherst, Va., to upstate New York with his mother about three years ago.

Miller, known to family members and friends by his middle name, played lineman for the Saratoga Springs High School varsity football team for two years. He joined the Army straight out of high school last summer and distinguished himself as a marksman.

"He was all about the Army," said Bobby Speed, a high school friend. "That's all he wanted to do when he got out of high school."

His aunt, Suzanne Diorio, said he and his mother, Leslie Miller, moved to Wilton, N.Y., to be close to his grandparents and her. His father, Jesse Miller, lives in Madison Heights, Va.

Miller was deployed to Afghanistan in May. He was killed June 21 when a suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint he was guarding in the Kunar province. He was 19. He had been assigned to Fort Campbell.

Diorio said her nephew had been in Afghanistan for six weeks when he was killed.

"He was a sensitive, sweet, big-hearted, polite, respectful young boy who was just hitting his stride," Diorio said. "He always had a kind word, always put himself last."

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Army Spc. Brendan P. Neenan

Brendan Neenan loved to play pranks on his little sister. But he was the only one allowed to -- if anyone else tried to mess with her, he became a protective enforcer.

There was the time Brendan dropped a water balloon on his sister's head from an upstairs window. Except it wasn't a balloon, but a plastic egg that plunked Katie Neenan on the noggin.

"It almost knocked her out," Neenan's father, Hugh, told the Southeast Sun newspaper in Enterprise, Ala. But he also had a serious side when it came to his family, especially young men who dared to send his sister an inappopriate text message. His brother, Tim, recalled one boy who'd dared to do such a thing.

The young man quickly sent an apology: "Man, I am so sorry and I don't want any trouble with you or your brother."

Brendan, 21, of Enterprise, was killed June 7 by a roadside bomb in Jelawar, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.

Tim Neenan is a stand-up comedian in Los Angeles, and the brothers had hoped to jumpstart a Hollywood career one day.

"I looked forward to it every single time I talked to him," Tim Neenan said. "It would have been funny."

Neenan also is survived by his stepmother, Lesa.

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Navy Seaman William Ortega

William Ortega was remembered as "an awesome brother and an awesome friend," said his sister Aracely Ortega.

Friend Ana Miller said Ortega was eager to deploy and serve his country. But when he first joined the military, he had trouble adjusting to California, where he was going through training. He had hoped to be stationed closer to his home in Miami before too long.

"He was telling me that when he came back from his deployment, if he was given the chance of where to go, he was going to choose Miami," Miller said.

Ortega had befriended Miller and her husband, Jeremy, a medic like Ortega.

Ortega, 23, was killed by a roadside bomb June 18 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He had graduated from South Dade Senior High School in 2005 and joined the U.S. Navy in May 2008.

"He had a lot of respect for this nation and he paid the ultimate sacrifice, unfortunately," Ortega's sister said. He was to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Other survivors include his mother and father; four other sisters; a brother-in-law; and a grandmother and grandfather.

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Marine Cpl. Claudio Patino IV

Claudio Patino was a "modern day Spartan" who willingly returned to Afghanistan three months after his first deployment there ended, a friend said.

A scout sniper, the 22-year-old Patino began talking when he was a child about becoming a Marine. Friend and former team leader Marine Sgt. Ryan Lindner said Patino often used his weekends to practice mixed-martial arts.

"He was always striving, always testing himself," Lindner said. "He was a modern day Spartan."

Patino, of Yorba Linda, Calif., was killed by small-arms fired on June 22 in Helmand province.

He was based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie Burns; his parents, Claudio and Evelyn Patino; and seven brothers and sisters.

He graduated from El Dorado High School in 2006, the same year he enlisted. He had completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving for his third deployment in March.

As he was preparing earlier this year to leave California again, a neighbor asked why he was redeploying only three months after returning.

"He told me he wanted to go back," neighbor Tom Woods said. "He told me, 'There's work to be done. If I don't go back and do it, who will?'"

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Army Spc. Jonathan K. Peney

Jonathan Peney walked into Atlanta Rocks as a scrawny 13-year-old who just wanted to learn about rock climbing. Nearly a decade later, he was an Army Ranger -- an elite special forces soldier.

He worked hard on the rock walls, always pushing himself to do more. His friends and family say he took that dedication to the military. But they also remembered his positive attitude.

"He was just joyful and happy, and that exuded out of him very effortlessly," said friend and fellow climber Laura Kimel.

Peney, 22, of Marietta, Ga., was killed June 1 under heavy enemy fire in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. He was a combat medic assigned to Hunter Army Airfield.

The military lauded the heroic decision that ultimately killed Peney: During a firefight, he rushed over to give medical aid to a fellow Ranger who had been wounded.

Peney married his wife, Kristin, last June in Greece.

"We didn't get to spend a lot of time with him," said Peney's father-in-law, Michael Felton. "But they were very happy, and that's the important thing."

Peney also is survived by his mother, Sue Peney.