Remembering Pacific servicemembers
who died during the past year ...
Stars and Stripes
It isn’t until a large piece of the globe is in conflict before most of us start
taking Memorial Day seriously.
Despite widespread peace, we have witnessed some high-profile stories of U.S.
servicemembers who died last year serving their country.
Headlines told of 17 USS Cole sailors killed in October during a terrorist attack in
Yemen; four Marines who died when their MV-22 Osprey aircraft crashed in North Carolina in
December; and seven troops who died in April when their helicopter crashed during an MIA
remains search in Vietnam.
But dozens of other servicemembers should be remembered today for giving their lives
while in service to their country over the past year.
When you raise your glass this holiday, think of the servicemembers who did — and
didn’t — make headlines.
Stars and Stripes honors these troops — stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Guam and
South Korea — who died since last Memorial Day in the line of duty, in tragic
off-duty accidents, or by sickness:
Seaman James Weaver (June 13, 2000)
Weaver, of Mobile Mine Assembly Group EIGHT, Guam, was killed in a car
accident.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Roxanne Long said she and her husband became friends when they
worked together. They often went to the base club at the Navy’s Apra Harbor or played
pool in the barracks lounge.
"He was ... real outgoing," Long said. "He was always up for
conversation. He never made you feel like a stranger."
Senior Airman Matthew Bowers (June 22)
Bowers, of the 36th Maintenance Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, died
in an off-duty car accident. His home was Port Charlotte, Fla.
Senior Airman Jason Lodder, a co-worker, said Bowers "liked to be the center of
attention. He had a leadership quality."
Bowers was the first person to show Lodder and his wife around the island and helped
acquaint Lodder with his job.
"We worked ammo," Lodder said. "He was completely gung-ho ammo."
Maj. David S. Berry (June 26)
Berry, 35, an Army doctor, died of stab wounds received June 25 while shopping
with two fellow doctors in the Itaewon district of Seoul. He was a specialist in pediatric
infectious diseases at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and was
on temporary duty to South Korea.
A Korean man later received a 15-year sentence for the murder.
Berry, from Big Spring, Texas, is survived by his wife and five children. His wife was
pregnant with their fifth child at the time of his murder, and gave birth two months
later. At the time of the stabbing, Berry had been in Korea only 10 days, where he had
been on temporary assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division. He was buried with full
military honors at the National Cemetery, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
"David was a kind, caring and courageous soldier. My heart pours out the deepest
sorrow to his wife, five children and his military family," said Capt. Reginald
Baker, one of the two doctors with him at the time of the attack.
Capt. Edward Spore (July 29)
Spore, 34, an attorney with the Area Defense Council at Misawa Air Base,
Japan, died in a swimming accident in the Pacific Ocean near Kuji, Japan.
Co-workers remembered him as one who enjoyed being outdoors with friends.
"He exuded the highest standards of conduct as evidenced by his strong work ethic
and his devotion to the Air Force mission," said Capt. Michael Greene, chief of
military justice at Misawa. "Ed was a true friend in every sense of the word. His
generosity was unlimited; his enthusiasm contagious; his loyalty unwavering."
A Grand Junction, Colo., native, Spore attended Colorado State University, transferred
to Ohio State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology
in 1991, and graduated the University of Denver Law School in 1995.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Elrio A. Aguilus (Aug. 8)
Aguilus, 31, died of complications from pneumonia. He was assigned to 3rd
Dental Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group on Camp Kinser, Okinawa.
Aguilus attended school there at the Guagua National College and Holy Rosary Academy in
his native Philippines before joining the Navy in 1989.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dan Watts, director of administration for 3rd Dental Battalion, recalled
the memorial service.
"It was a pretty big blow to his co-workers," Watts said. "He was well
thought of constantly there as a shipmate for everyone."
Aguilus is survived by his wife, Hilda.
Sgt. Dexter K. Elam (Sept. 2)
Elam, 26, assistant warehouse chief, Marine Air Group-12, Iwakuni Marine Corps
Air Station, Japan, died in a swimming accident in Hamada, Japan. He was from Spartanburg,
S.C.
"Sergeant Elam was a real people person. He took care of his Marines," said
Staff Sgt. Jeffery Hightower, MAG-12 warehouse chief. "He always had a positive
attitude, and personally got involved in the Marines’ lives he led."
Sgt. Randy D. Reckart Jr. (Sept. 11)
Reckart, 23, of Albright, W.Va, died while swimming near Okinawa’s Tengan
Pier.
Reckart was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion and worked at Joint Forces
Brig at Camp Hansen.
He is survived by his brother, Pat Williams Reckart.
Lance Cpl. Charlie C. Meador (Sept. 12)
Meador, 21, of Beckley, W.Va., died on Okinawa when he was swept out to sea
during Typhoon Saomai.
Meador was remembered by Marine Cpl. James Humphrey, whom he worked with at 4th Marines
Motor Transport Section, for his infectious sense of humor.
"He’d always find something to do to make us laugh," Humphrey said.
Meador was an avid weight lifter who often was protective of his private life.
"After work he’d talk about his family, but it wasn’t something he
brought into the shop," Humphrey added. "But the way he talked about them, you
knew he cared."
Humphrey said Meador’s death sent ripple effects through the unit and deeply
affected all who knew him.
"You’re a Marine and you think you’re invincible," he said.
"And then this happened and you know you’re not. Everyone held it in, but there
were a lot of us who probably cried in private for him. He will definitely be
missed."
He was survived by his wife, Rebecca, and a son.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Ramon Labio (Sept. 22)
Labio, who was stationed at Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan, died of
encephalitis. He was 43.
At a service in the Atsugi Chapel, Lt. Cmdr. D.J. DeJesus, who served with Labio both
on the USS Kitty Hawk and at Atsugi, remembered him for his ability to manage people in
his job as aviation support equipment senior chief.
Labio, a native of the Philippines, enlisted in the Navy at Subic Bay in 1980.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Bentley (Oct. 20)
Bentley, 43, died of a heart attack during physical training.
The operations chief for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-36 at Marine Corps Air
Station Futenma, Okinawa, was remembered as a man with a magnetic personality.
"He was a strong leader," Marine Maj. Ted Kline, executive officer for
MALS-36, said. "He was charismatic. People liked being around him."
Bentley, a native of Memphis, Tenn., had day-to-day contact with most of the
squadron’s 600 Marines, who knew him to be a committed family man, with a wife and
three school-age children.
"We were pretty shocked," Kline said. "His death was a tremendous loss.
He touched so many lives."
Spc. Ron Pagcu (Nov. 4)
Pagcu, 21, of A Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, Engineer Brigade, 2nd
Infantry Division, died after his armored earth-moving vehicle rolled down an embankment
while moving in convoy during a training exercise, Operation Foal Eagle 2000, in South
Korea.
Pagcu was an armored combat earth-mover driver and had served in the military for two
years. A private first class at the time of his death, he was promoted posthumously to
specialist. He was single and is survived by his mother, Rolelio Pacgu, of Alexandria, Va.
"He never had a bad thing to say about anybody," said Sgt. Preston Sorrel,
Pagcu’s former team leader. "He was a very kind, genuine person. There were no
ulterior motives with him. He didn’t say a whole lot, but I don’t think I saw
him get upset even one time in the 3½ months that I knew him."
First Sgt. Donald L. Bolser had similar memories of Pacgu.
"Specialist Pacgu was a quiet person who always did the very, very best he
possibly could. He was a role model ... A quiet-type person. Friendly guy. Very
well-disciplined soldier. And never, I mean absolutely never, said a curse word ... in
front of me."
Col. Paul R. Puckett (Nov. 13)
Puckett, 51, died of a cardiac aneurysm. Puckett’s decision to be an
organ donor allowed two Japanese patients to receive kidney transplants and one patient to
receive cornea transplants.
The former chief of staff for 3rd Force Service Support Group and Camp Kinser commander
was remembered by his wife as a man who constantly volunteered to assist others.
"It was what Paul wanted," she told Stripes following his death. "He was
a people person, and this seems a logical extension of his care and concern for
people."
Puckett was heavily involved in local Okinawan organizations including the Urasoe City
Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. John F. Ward, urologist and transplant coordinator for the U.S. Naval
Hospital on Okinawa, called Puckett’s decision to be an organ donor "the final
and amazing act he was able to do."
Capt. Warren B. Sneed (Nov. 13)
Sneed, a Misawa 14th Fighter Squadron pilot and a U.S. Air Force Academy
graduate, died in a midair collision with another F-16 over the Sea of Japan during Keen
Sword exercises.
His commander remembered him as an officer who died while doing what he loved.
"Warren died while doing what he was passionate about — flying. His spirit,
strength of character, enthusiasm and constant smile are legacies that have brought us all
together," said Brig. Gen. Chip Utterback, 35th Fighter Wing commander.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason C. Schwartz (Nov. 23)
Schwartz, a boatswain’s mate aboard the USS Patriot, died after losing
control of his motorcycle on a curve near Sasebo Naval Base’s main gate.
Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Lufi (Feb. 18, 2001)
Lufi, 25, died in an off-base car accident after the vehicle he was riding in
struck a truck driven by a Japanese citizen near Misawa Air Base, Japan.
The 13th Fighter Squadron weapons loader was from Blountville, Tenn.
"Ben was well liked by all who came in contact with him," said Master Sgt.
Ron Kent, first sergeant for Lufi’s squadron. "His contributions both on and off
duty will truly be missed."
Sgt. Joseph Crider (March 3)
Crider, 29, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 8th Personnel Command,
at Camp Coiner, South Korea, died more than two months after suffering severe burns and
smoke inhalation in an apartment fire on Christmas Day. He had served in the military for
12 years.
Shortly after his death, fellow soldiers remembered him as a dedicated soldier who kept
a can-do motto posted at his workstation: "Give me the mission and get out of my
way."
Sgt. 1st Class Nelson Birdsong worked next to Crider at the 8th Personnel Command. He
remembered him as a man who out of devotion to his family was careful with his money to
ensure his family’s needs would be met.
"Every day he always talked about his family," Birdsong said. "He would
suffer so that they would have. He would pretty much go without so his wife would have in
the States."
He is survived by his wife, Cara, and daughter, Kira Rae.
Lance Cpl. Benjamin Soto (March 29)
Soto, 19, died in his barracks room on Camp Schwab, Okinawa. No details were
available on the death. Soto was assigned to Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine
Division.
Soto was survived by his parents, Margarita and Bienvenido Soto of Staten Island, N.Y.
Cpl. Jesus Garcia III (April 9)
Garcia, 21, of Houston, died at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, after a vending machine
fell on top of him. Garcia, of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, was on temporary assignment to
Okinawa with the Marine’s Unit Deployment Program.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Y. Garcia; stepson, Deja M. Thomas; and parents,
Jesus A. Garcia Jr. and Socorro G. Garcia of Houston.
Sgt. 1st Class William Richard (April 14)
Richard, 38, a platoon sergeant with the 527th Military Intelligence
Battalion, died of cardiac arrest.
In his four years with the 527th, he was voice operations branch platoon sergeant for
three remote communications detachments located on the Korean DMZ, and was later the DMZ
platoon sergeant. He had served in the military for 16 years.
Known to his fellow soldiers as "Stick" because of his 6-foot, 7-inch
stature, Richard was remembered as a dedicated soldier and a man widely liked for his
decency and sense of humor, said Maj. Frederick L. Washington, executive officer of the
527th.
"On the professional side, he held one of the most prestigious positions within
the battalion ... We have soldiers who are permanently deployed along the DMZ, three
different sites, and he ensured they received rations twice a week, took care of their
total needs. He drove up or flew up twice a week."
He is survived by his wife, Hyon Cha, and two sons, Andrew and Joseph.
Staff Sgt. Charles D. Bagwell Jr. (April 18)
Bagwell, from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, died in an off-duty car accident.
He was from Erie, Mich.
"He was very energetic, a hard worker. He had a great sense of humor, and made it
fun to come to work," said Capt. Brent Gibson, commander of Bagwell’s flight.
Bagwell graduated from Huron High School in 1989 and entered the Air Force the same
year.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric K. McGregory (April 23)
McGregory, 26, an information systems technician aboard the USS Safeguard
salvage and recovery ship based at Sasebo, Japan, died of cardiac arrest at Tripler Army
Medical Center, Hawaii.
Friends and associates remembered the Chicago native for his devotion to duty while
learning the intricacies of his job.
Seaman Stephen Desenberg, a USS Safeguard crewman, said McGregory was friendly with
everybody.
"Eric was a highly humane guy … a great personality and everybody on the ship
liked him," Desenberg said. "He always knew what to say at the right
times."
Sgt. Michael St. John (April 24)
St. John, 29, a flight medic with the 377th Medical Company at Camp Humphreys,
South Korea, died in an accident in which his car was struck broadside. He had served in
the military for 12 years.
St. John was a proficient flight medic and an upbeat, personable and even charismatic
figure, said Maj. Keith Johnson, the 377th’s company commander.
Of Korean ethnicity, St. John was fluent in Korean, and became the "go-to
guy" in the company when need arose for translation or guidance about the Korean
culture, Johnson said.
"A very personable guy, a very charismatic personality, and as a soldier a model
for an NCO," Johnson said.
Of note
One Air Force person died at Osan Air Base, South Korea, during 2001; however,
Lt. Angie Chang of Osan’s public affairs office said circumstances surrounding the
death cannot be released because of an ongoing investigation.
U.S. Naval Forces Japan said there were no on-duty deaths during the past year at any
of its bases and declined to provide specific information about servicemembers who died
off duty.
Mark Oliva, Franklin Fisher, Donovan Brooks, Steve Liewer, Fred Knapp and
Wayne Specht contributed to this report.
Back to May stories
Page Two news roundup
Stories from April, 2001
Stories from March, 2001
Stories from February,2001
Stories from January, 2001
Stories from December, 2000
Stories from November, 2000
Stories from October, 2000
Stories from August and September, 2000
Stories from June and July, 2000
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