Since Memorial Day 2013, five of Missouri’s active duty service members were killed in action.
U.S. Army Sergeant Timothy Wayne Owens
Owens, a 37-year-old from Rolla, Mo., was killed on April 2, 2014 during a shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. He had perviously deployed to Iraq with the 396th Transportation company. Owens had a wife and three children.
His awards include the three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Bad (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Marksman), Driver and Mechanic Badge, and two Overseas Service Bars.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Joshua B. Silverman
Silverman, a 32-year-old from St. Louis County, died on December 18 while serving in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Bronze Service Start, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbons (2 awards), NATO Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Basic Army Aviator Badge, and two Overseas Service Bars.
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Eric W. Summers
Summers, age 32 from Poplar Bluff, Mo., died on December 16 while serving at Camp Pendleton, California during a routine sweep of an explosion range to ensure its safety for future uses. He had enlisted in the Marines in 2003, and served once in Iraq and three times in Afghanistan.
His awards and decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, with Combat Distinguishing Device in lieu of third award; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; and the Good Conduct Medal in lieu of third award.
U.S. Army Sergeant Joseph M. Peters
Peters, a 24-year old from Springfield, Mo., died on October 6, 2013, during a roadside bomb attack in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Peters was the first agent of Criminal Investigation Command to die in Iraq or Afghanistan. He was a military policeman on his third deployment to Afghanistan. He had a wife and 20-month-old son.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal w/ combat distinguishing device “V”, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star (Arrowhead), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge (Bar, Driver-W), Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and two Overseas Service Bars.
U.S. Army Private First Class Jonathan M.D. Hostetter
Hostetter, age 20 from Humphreys, Mo., was a U.S. Army Engineer. He died on August 23, 2013 from a roadside bomb attack in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was a combat engineer on his first deployment.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar.
(Awards information provided by Gov. Jay Nixon’s office.)