Following his service in 2nd Battalion, SFC Willoughby was selected to participate in the 75th Ranger Regiment Reconnaissance Detachment Selection. Upon successful completion if this demanding course, he was assigned to the Reconnaissance Detachment, 75th Ranger Regiment. During his three-year service there he participated in numerous training exercises and overseas deployments to include top secret Counter Intelligence missions in Europe. He earned the Special Forces Basic Military Free Fall badge and the Special Forces Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge during his assignment to the Reconnaissance Detachment. Courses he completed during this time include the 75th Ranger Regiment Reconnaissance Training course, Special Forces Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school, the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare school and the Special Forces Special Response Training course. The absolute best of the Best!! LOVE you Brother..
Staff Sgt. Carl R. Fuller, 44, of Covington, Ga., and three others were killed July 24, 2005, when an explosive detonated near their military vehicle while they were on patrol in Baghdad.
First Sgt John D Blair of Calhoun, Georgia graduated from Cumberland High School in Harlan County, Kentucky in 1990. Many years later, after moving to Georgia, the National Guardsman was a stepfather of two and a devoted grandfather. After his tour in Iraq, "Gooch" planned to dig out a lake for catfish on his property back in Georgia so he could take his grandson fishing. The former deputy sheriff in Gordon County, Georgia was attached to the local Drug Task Force as part of the Georgia Army National Guard's counter-drug operations for several years. John served as a full-time deputy sheriff from June, 1994 until August, 1998 when he left the Sheriff's Office to assume full time duties in the National Guard. During his local service with the National Guard's counter-drug operations, John served as a reserve deputy sheriff from October, 2006 until December, 2008, when his National Guard unit was mobilized for duty in Afghanistan. He was an extraordinarily skilled operative, specializing in covert drug-enforcement surveillance. His awards and badges include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, (2nd Award), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (4th Award), National Defense Medal (3rd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/M Device (2nd Award), Non Commissioned Officers Professional and Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service and Nato Medal, Georgia Commendation Medal, Georgia Drug Task Force Medal, Georgia Special Operations Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge. His training included the United States Army Infantryman Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Woodland Operations Instructor Course, Analytical Investigation Techniques Course, Counter Drug Task Force Course, National Guard Bureau SA Mission Primary Manager Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Small Group Leader Training Course, Basic Narcotic Investigation Course, Bradley Gunner's Course Phase One and Two, and the Long Range Ground Surveillance Specialist Certification Course Phase One and Two. During his time in the Sheriff's Office, John served as a jail officer, deputy sheriff, & sheriff's detective. He also served on the Office's honor guard, & SWAT team. His former superiors described him as an exemplary officer. He was officially commended on a number of occasions during his law enforcement service here. John remained very close friends with members of the Sheriff's Office, and officers communicated with him by telephone & e mail in the days & weeks preceding his death. He died at age 38 in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle. He was tough, unrelenting. He cursed and reprimanded and gained not just their respect, but their fondness during the months of training for their deployment in Afghanistan. He could be harsh, but was fair and imparted to his men a sense of their potential. If he said something, you listened. If you didn't, you were going to pay for it. He once said to another soldier, "I can't make you do anything. But I can make you wish you had."
Family I never knew:
Phillip McConnell 1738, My Great, Great,Great,Great, Great grandad
Armstrongs Co, 2nd Regiment, NC Continental Line, 1777 - 10 September 1778. We believe died from wounds weeks later From the the Battle of Monmouth, NJ, after making through valley forge!!!
1 Million 250 thousand killed in action defending the US. Bless them all!!
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