John 15:13
RELEASE NUMBER: 120415-01A
DATE POSTED: April 15, 2012
PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Army Ranger killed in combat
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs
 |
| Click here for Sgt. Higgins' bio. |
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, April 15, 2012)—A U.S. Army Ranger was killed in action April 14, during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins, 23, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Higgins was killed by direct fire from enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Logar Province, Afghanistan.
A native of Yantis, Texas, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 2007. For more than three years, Higgins served as a rifleman, grenadier, automatic rifleman, gun team leader and a Ranger Team Leader with 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment.
The 75th Ranger Regiment has been continuously deployed to Afghanistan since October 2001.
“Sgt. Higgins epitomized the Ranger Fire Team Leader, and was admired and respected by everyone,” said Col. Michael Foster, the Commander of 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. “A skilled warrior, who always led from the front, he is a hero to his family, 1st Ranger Battalion and our Nation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Higgins family.”
This was his third deployment to Afghanistan. He deployed once to Iraq.
“In the final hours of his life, Sergeant Higgins helped his strike force accomplish its mission against a determined enemy in Afghanistan, said Col. Mark W. Odom, Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. “Without reservation or hesitation, he carried the hopes of our nation—as he had done so many times before.”
Higgins is survived by his wife Shelby Lynn Higgins of Savannah, Ga., his father Danny R. Higgins of Hurst, Texas, and his mother Patti D. Sells of Tybee Island, Ga.
For more information, the media may contact the 75th Ranger Regiment Public Affairs Office at 706-545-4260 or 706-604-5114.
--usasoc--
PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Army Special Operations Soldiers killed in combat
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs
 |
| 1LT Ashley White (higher resolution not currently available). Click here for bio. |
Killed were:
1st Lt. Ashley White, 24, was assigned to the 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard, Goldsboro, N.C., and attached to a joint special operations task force as a Cultural Support Team member.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Pvt. 1st Class Christopher A. Horns, 20, was assigned to Co. C, 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
All three service members were killed during combat operations when their assault force triggered an improvised explosive device near Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
A native of Alliance, Ohio, White was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer after receiving a commission from Kent State in 2009. White is survived by her husband Cpt. Jason Stumpf of Raeford, N.C., her parents Robert and Deborah White, twin sister Brittney and brother Josh, all of Alliance, Ohio.
 |
| SFC Kristoffer Domeij (click for higher resolution image). Click here for bio. |
A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Horns enlisted in the U.S. Army in July, 2010 and joined the 75th Ranger Regiment in March 2011 where he served as an assistant machine gunner and automatic rifleman. He is survived by his parents Larry and Tamara Horns, and his sister Tiffany of Colorado Springs, Colo. Horns was on his first deployment in support of the War on Terror.
“Sgt. 1st Class Domeij was the prototypical special operations NCO—a technically and tactically competent Joint Terminal Attack Controller and veteran of a decade of deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan and hundreds of combat missions. His ability to employ fire support platforms made him a game changer on the battlefield—an operator who in real terms had the value of an entire strike force on the battlefield,” said Col. Mark W. Odom, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
“Ultimately Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Horns represents everything which is great about the United States. He placed his fellow Rangers, the Regiment, and his nation before everything else in life,” said Odom.
“Lt. White, a member of a Cultural Support Team, played a crucial role as a member of a special operations strike force. Her efforts highlight both the importance and necessity of women on the battlefield today.”
The 75th Ranger Regiment has been continuously deployed to Afghanistan since October, 2001.
“Sgt. 1st Class Kris Domeij will be dearly missed by the men of 2nd Ranger Bn. He was one of those men who was known by all as much for his humor, enthusiasm, and loyal friendship, as he was for his unparalleled skill and bravery under fire,” said Lt. Col. David Hodne, commander of 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment. “This was a Ranger you wanted at your side when the chips were down. He and his family are very much part of the fabric that defines 2nd Ranger Bn. He is irreplaceable…in our formation…and in our hearts.”
 |
| PFC Christopher Horns (click for higher resolution image). Click here for bio. |
“This Battalion mourns the tragic loss of 1st Lt. Ashley White. Ashley was an incredibly talented officer and teammate who lost her life while committed to making a difference in our effort in Afghanistan,” said Hodne. “She demonstrated a level of quiet courage that set the example for others to follow, and we will never forget her sacrifice. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers.” For more information, the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs office at (910) 432-6005 | (910) 494-1589 | (910) 813-9536.
--usasoc--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We Support Our Troops!