SSG Joshua R. Whitaker
 

RIP, hermano.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

TR

NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense

No. 609-07 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2007
Media Contact: (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public/Industry(703) 428-0711

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Whitaker, 23, of Long Beach, Calif., died May 15
in Qalat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms
fire.Whitaker was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces
Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

For more information in regard to this release the media can contact
the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910)
432-6005.

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/...eleaseid=10893

My thoughts and prayers are with his team, family and friends.

RELEASE NUMBER: 070518-01
DATE POSTED: MAY 18, 2007

PRESS RELEASE: Army Special Forces Soldier dies in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 18, 2007) — An Army Special Forces Soldier stationed here died May 15 during a firefight near Qalat, Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Whitaker, 23, a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died from wounds sustained during the firefight.

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March, 2007.

A native of Long Beach, Calif., Whitaker enlisted in the Army Sept. 24, 2003 as a Special Forces candidate. After completing basic combat training, advanced individual training and airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. for Special Forces training. Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he earned the coveted Green Beret and was assigned to 7th SFG (A).

His awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

He is survived by his mother, Catherine Whitaker of Long Beach, Calif., his uncle, Robb Whitaker of Signal Hill, Calif. and his father, Frank Dougherty of El Monte, Calif. His aunt, Debra Whitaker and his cousins Rachel and Laura Whitaker, all from Signal Hill, Calif., also survive him.

Rest In Peace.

RIP SSG.

Repose En Paix, SSG Whitaker

Rest In Peace

RIP!!!

Rest in Peace SSgt!

R.I.P.

RIP Brother, Blue Skies, Soft DZ's.

RIP SSG.

Rest In Peace

RIP, Sergeant.

Rest in peace