Hawaii has Honored 284 Service Members Who Have Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice

BY REP. K. MARK TAKAI – This year marks the 70th anniversary of the attack of Pearl Harbor, the event that led to America’s entry into World War II.

Ten years ago, another attack in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania again brought our nation to its knees.

Each of us can recall vividly the events in the early morning on Sept. 11, 2001. What happened on that fateful day would shake the foundation of our country and change the future for our children.

As a newly commissioned officer in the Hawaii Army National Guard, I knew that my life would forever be changed on that day. The question was no longer if we would go, but when we would go. So when the 29th Brigade Combat Team and the 100 Battalion were deployed in 2004 for the first time since the Vietnam War, we needed to do something. And we did.

In 2005, the Legislature passed Act 21, establishing the Hawaii Medal of Honor. I recall thinking how we as a state and as the state Legislature needed to support the families of our fallen heroes. The Hawaii Medal of Honor was our way of expressing our deepest appreciation to these brave service men and women.

The magnitude of our decision to create the Hawaii Medal of Honor didn’t hit home until I received a call in July 2005 summoning me to the National Guard Headquarters to be the casualty assistance officer for the family of Sgt. Deyson Cariaga, who at a very young age of 20 was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near the Humvee he was driving during a patrol near Balad, Iraq.

As introducer of the bill that created the medal, I don’t think I fully understood the profound meaning of this medal until I met with Sgt. Cariaga’s family. The Hawaii Medal of Honor was not just a medal, but it represents a fallen hero and a family shattered by events half a world away.

The Hawaii Medal of Honor is bestowed on those who have touched our islands and have felt the touch of our people. The medal symbolizes our aloha to those we have lost.

Following our lead, Alaska and New Hampshire both present similar awards to their fallen heroes.

It has been more than eight years since the wars on terrorism began. Between March 29, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2010, we in Hawaii have lost 284 service members.

This past March, we formally induct 16 service members into the roll for the Hawaii Medal of Honor. All 16 gave their lives for our freedoms in 2010.

The Hawaii Medal of Honor was presented to family representatives of these fine men and women at a ceremony held during a joint session of the Legislature in the Senate chambers.

In offering the medal to those who will gather here, in memory of those who have fallen, we recognize that they are part of us, part of our ohana. The medal guarantees that they will never be forgotten.

I hope that the children of these heroes will one day appreciate the sacrifices that their fathers and their mothers made on behalf of all of us.

While this medal can’t take away the pain of losing a loved one, it shows that Hawaii will never forget them. Wherever each of these medals finds its final home, a piece of our hearts goes with it. We truly appreciate what they did for us as Americans so our way of life can continue.

HAWAII MEDAL OF HONOR ROLL (provided by the Office of Rep. K. Mark Takai)

2006

• United States Army Sergeant Eugene Williams
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Cameron B. Sarno
• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Sharon Swartworth
• United States Army Sergeant First Class Kelly Bolor
• United States Army Second Lieutenant Jeremy Wolfe
• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Ian D. Manuel
• United States Army Private First Class Ernest H. Sutphin
• United States Army Private First Class John D. Amos II
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Oscar D. Medina
• United States Army Specialist Ramon C. Ojeda
• United States Army Specialist Philip L. Witkowski
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Todd E. Nunes
• United States Army Corporal David M. Fraise
• United States Army Specialist Joseph F. Herndon II
• United States Army Sergeant Daniel Lee Galvan
• United States Army Specialist Joseph C. Thibodeaux III
• United States Army Specialist Wesley R. Wells
• United States Army Private First Class Joshua Kuile Paul Titcomb
• United States Army Private First Class Jeungjin Nikky N. Kim
• United States Army Specialist Kyle K. Fernandez
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Brian S. Hobbs
• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 William I. Brennan
• United States Army Captain Christopher B. Johnson
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Richard P. Slocum
• United States Army Corporal Billy Gomez
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jeremy D. Bow
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal John T. Byrd II
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Kelley L. Courtney
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Travis A. Fox
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Christopher J. Lapka
• United States Marine Corps Private First Class John Lukac
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Andrew G. Riedel
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Michael P. Scarborough
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Aaron C. Pickering
• United States Navy Petty Officer Julian Woods
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal David M. Branning
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Brian A. Medina
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta
• United States Army Private First Class Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia
• United States Army Specialist Daniel James McConnell
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Michael A. Downey
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Michael R. Cohen
• United States Army Corporal Jacob R. Fleischer
• United States Army Corporal Dale E. Fracker Jr.
• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Travis W. Grogan
• United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. McMahon
• United States Army Specialist Harley D.R. Miller
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Blake A. Magaoay
• United States Army Specialist Isaac E. Diaz
• United States Army Specialist David P. Mahlenbrock
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jeffrey S. Blanton
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Franklin A. Sweger
• United States Army First Lieutenant Nainoa K. Hoe
• United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Brian D. Bland
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jonathan E. Etterling
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Michael W. Finke Jr.
• United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Travis J. Fuller
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Timothy M. Gibson
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Richard A. Gilbert Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Kyle J. Grimes
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Brian C. Hopper
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Saeed Jafarkhani-Torshizi Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Corporal. Stephen P. Johnson
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Sean P. Kelly
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Allan Klein
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Timothy A. Knight
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Fred L. Maciel
• United States Marine Corps Corporal James L. Moore
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Nathaniel K. Moore
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Mourad Ragimov
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain Rairdan
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Hector Ramos
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Gael Saintvil
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Darrell J. Schumann
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Nathan A. Shubert
• United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Dustin M. Shumney
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Matthew R. Smith
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joseph B. Spence
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Michael L. Starr Jr.
• United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class John D. House
• United States Army Private First Class Stephen A. Castellano
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Sean P. Maher
• United States Army Specialist Glenn J. Watkins
• United States Army Sergeant Major Barbaralien Banks
• United States Army Master Sergeant Edwin A. Matos-Colon
• United States Army Private First Class Kevin S.K. Wessel
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Nicholas C. Kirven
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Richard P. Schoener
• United States Army Sergeant Arnold Duplantier II
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kevin B. Joyce
• United States Navy Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy
• United States Navy Machinist’s Mate Second Class (SEAL) Shane E. Patton
• United States Navy Quartermaster Second Class (SEAL) James Suh
• United States Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy
• United States Navy Sonar Technician (Surface) Second Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson
• United States Army Sergeant Deyson K. Cariaga
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Frank F. Tiai
• United States Army Specialist Ray Michael Fuhrmann II
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Phillip C. George
• United States Army Sergeant Alfredo B. Silva
• United States Army Specialist Mike T. Sonoda Jr.
• United States Army Sergeant First Class Daniel R. Scheile
• United States Army Sergeant Paul C. Neubauer
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Steven A. Valdez
• United States Army Sergeant Jerry L. Bonifacio
• United States Army Sergeant Evan S. Parker
• United States Army Captain Michael J. MacKinnon
• United States Army Colonel William W. Wood
• United States Army Captain Raymond D. Hill II
• United States Army Sergeant Shakere T. Guy
• United States Army Sergeant Wilgene T. Lieto
• United States Army Specialist Derence W. Jack
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Daniel A. Tsue
• United States Army Sergeant Myla L. Maravillosa
• United States Army Specialist Marcelino R. Corniel
• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ruel M. Garcia
• United States Marine Corps Private Lewis T.D. Calapini
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Billy D. Brixey Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Petty Officer Third Class John T. Fralish
• United States Marine Corps Private Class Matthew L. Bertolino

2007

• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Richard A. Perez, Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kristen K. Figueroa Marino
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Nicholas R. Anderson
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Andres Aguilar, Jr.
• United State Army Private First Class Joseph I. Love
• United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Jason C. Ramseyer
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Eric R. Lueken
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Metodio A. Bandonill
• United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Edward G. Davis III
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Brandon M. Hardy
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Lea R. Mills
• United States Army Sergeant Steve M. Sakoda
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Adam C. Conboy
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Hatak Yuka Keyu M. Yearby
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jose S. MarinDominguez, Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant David R. Christoff, Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal William J. Leusink
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Michael A. Estrella
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Jeffrey S. Loa
• United States Army Corporal Jeremy R. Shank
• United States Army Sergeant First Class Michael T. Fuga
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ryan A. Miller
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Yull Estrada Rodriguez
• United States Army Sergeant Velton Locklear III
• United States Army Private First Class Kenneth E. Kincaid IV
• United States Marine Corps Private First Class Christopher T. Riviere
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal James Chamroeun
• United States Army Corporal Michael K. Oremus
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Daniel Isshak
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Derek W. Jones
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jeremy S. Sandvick Monroe
• United States Army Captain Shane T. Adcock
• United States Army Private First Class Kenny F. Stanton, Jr.
• United States Army First Lieutenant Joshua Deese
• United States Army Sergeant Jonathan E. Lootens
• United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Joshua L. Booth
• United States Marine Corps Private Edwardo J. Lopez
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Daniel B. Chaires
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Donald S. Brown
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Richwell A. Doria
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Timothy W. Brown
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Mario D. Gonzalez
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Michael D. Scholl
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal James R. Davenport
• United States Marine Corps Private First Class Heath D. Warner
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua C. Alonzo
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Jeromy D. West
• United States Army Sergeant Keith E. Fiscus
• United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Joseph T. McCloud
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Joshua C. Sticklen
• United States Marine Corps Major Megan Malia-Leilani McClung
• United States Army Private First Class Travis C. Krege
• United States Army Sergeant Jesse J.J. Castro
• United States Army Corporal Jason I. Huffman
• United States Army Corporal Yari Mokri
• United States Army Sergeant Joshua B. Madden
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Matthew W. Clark
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Henry K. Kahalewai, Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Stephen L. Morris
• United States Army Corporal Toby R. Olsen
• United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Terry J. Elliott
• United States Navy Hospitalman Matthew G. Conte
• United States Army Corporal Kenneth T. Butler
• United States Army Corporal David C. Armstrong
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Daniel T. Morris
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Anthony L. Aguirre

2008

• United States Air Force Airman First Class Carl Jerome Ware, Jr.
• United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Morgan C. Tulang
• United States Army Sergeant Forrest D. Cauthorn
• United States Army Private First Class Jay S. Cajimat
• United States Marine Corps Major Douglas A. Zembiec
• United States Army Corporal Casey P. Zylman
• United States Army First Lieutenant Keith N. Heidtman
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• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Theodore U. Church
• United States Army Sergeant Richard V. Correa
• United States Air Force Senior Airman William N. Newman
• United States Army Specialist Farid Elazzouzi
• United States Army Sergeant Derek T. Roberts
• United States Army Specialist Val J. Borm
• United States Army First Lieutenant Frank B. Walkup IV
• United States Army Sergeant Michael J. Montpetit
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Robert A. Lynch
• United States Army Specialist Tyler R. Seideman
• United States Army Specialist Jessy G. Pollard
• United States Army Specialist Michael A. Hook
• United States Army Corporal Nathan C. Hubbard
• United States Army Corporal Joshua S. Harmon
• United States Army Corporal Phillip J. Brodnick
• United States Army Corporal Jeremy P. Bouffard
• United States Army Sergeant Garrett I. McLead
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Jason L. Paton
• United States Army Captain Derek A. Dobogai
• United States Army Sergeant Alexander U. Gagalac
• United States Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Mark R. Cannon
• United States Army Private First Class Casey P. Mason
• United States Navy Mass Communications Specialist First Class Victor W. Jeffries
• United States Army Specialist Jon M. Schoolcraft III

2009

• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Phillip A. Bocks
• United States Army Sergeant Ireno S. Lacerna
• United States Army Sergeant Gary D. Willett
• United States Army Sergeant First Class Jerald A. Whisenhunt
• United States Army Sergeant Timothy P. Martin
• United States Army Corporal Michael T. Manibog
• United States Army Specialist Gregory B. Rundell
• United States Army Specialist Jeremiah C. Hughes
• United States Army Sergeant First Class David L. McDowell
• United States Army Sergeant John K. Daggett
• United States Army Private Eugene D.M. Kanakaole
• United States Marine Corps Captain Philip J. Dykeman
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Marcus W. Preudhomme
• United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Max A. Galeai
• United States Army Corporal William L. McMillan III
• United States Army First Lieutenant Jonathan P. Brostrom
• United States Army Sergeant Kenneth B. Gibson
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Julian F.A. Manglona
• United States Army Private First Class Christopher A. McCraw
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Solomon T. Sam
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Thomas Reilly Jr.
• United States Army Private First Class Christopher W. Lotter
• United States Army Private Sean P. McCune

2010

• United States Army Specialist Christopher P. Sweet
• United States Army Specialist Cwislyn K. Walter
• United States Army First Lieutenant Daniel B. Hyde
• United States Army Sergeant Raphael A. Futrell
• United States Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Francis L. Toner IV
• United States Army Sergeant Devin C. Poche
• United States Army Corporal Michael J. Anaya
• United States Army Command Sergeant Major Benjamin Moore Jr.
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Randy S. Agno
• United States Air Force First Lieutenant Roslyn L. Schulte
• United States Army Sergeant Jasper K. Obakrairur
• United States Army Major Rocco M. Barnes
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua R. Whittle
• United States Army Corporal Casey L. Hills
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Matthew R. Lembke
• United States Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class (Hospital Corpsman) Anthony C. Garcia
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal James D. Argentine
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Travis T. Babine
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Jay M. Hoskins
• United States Marine Corps Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua M. Bernard
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal John J. Malone
• United States Marine Corps Private First Class Zachary D. TenBrook
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Alfonso Ochoa Jr.
• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Earl R. Scott III
• United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mathew C. Heffelfinger
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Mark David Juarez
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jacob A. Meinert

2011

• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Timothy J. Poole Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Noah M. Pier
• United States Army Private First Class JR Salvacion
• United States Army Private First Class Raymond N. Pacleb
• United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Curtis M. Swenson
• United States Marine Corps Private First Class Jake W. Suter
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Joe L. Wrightsman
• United States Army First Lieutenant Michael L. Runyan
• United States Army Sergeant Jamal M. Rhett
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Philip C. Jenkins
• United States Army Private First Class James F. McClamrock
• United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Scott J. Fleming
• United States Army Staff Sergeant Aracely Gonzalez O’Malley
• United States Army Sergeant David J. Luff Jr.
• United States Marine Corps Sergeant Matthew T. Abbate
• United States Army Sergeant Sean M. Collins

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