(Washington, D.C. August 6, 2011) As Americans remember the tragedy of Extortion 17 and the largest loss of life in a single day since the U.S.’s involvement in Afghanistan, Capitol Hill is also doing it’s part in memory of our fallen heroes. At Freedom Watch’s request, Congressman Trent Franks, U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 8th congressional district, and his staff had a flag flown over the Capitol in honor of the second anniversary of the deaths of 30 U.S. servicemen. Congressman Franks is dedicated to this issue and has been encouraging to the families who hope to obtain answers through a congressional inquiry, which Freedom Watch was instrumental in having commenced.
The 30 Americans who died on Extortion 17 are:
1) Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 2) Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 3) Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 4) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (ExpeditionaryWarfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers, 5) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 6) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 7) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officern (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 8) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 9) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 10) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 11) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 12) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 13) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 14) Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 15) Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 16) Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 17) Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 18) Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 19) Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn, 20) Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 21) Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 22) Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 23) Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 24) Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 25) Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 26) Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 27) Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 28) Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 29) Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, CA, and 30) Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, PA.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of our nation’s heroes as they continue to seek the answers that have since been unforthcoming,” states Larry Klayman, counsel to some of the family members.
For more information, please contact Freedom Watch at daj142182@gmail.com or Tel: (424) 274-2579.