RELEASE NUMBER: 130924-01
DATE POSTED: SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
PRESS RELEASE: Three SOF soldiers die in Afghanistan
USASFC Public Affairs
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 24, 2013) - Three U.S. Army Special Operations Soldiers died Sept. 21, 2013, from wounds received during a small-arms attack in Gardez, Paktia Province, Afghanistan.
The Soldiers were: Staff Sgt. Liam J. Nevins, 32, of Denver, Colo., assigned to 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Watkins, Colo.; Staff Sgt. Timothy R. McGill, 30, of Ramsey, N.J., assigned to 2nd Battalion, 19th SFG (A), Middletown, R.I.; and Spc. Joshua J. Strickland, 23, of Woodstock, Ga., assigned to Group Support Battalion, 1st SFG (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Staff Sgt. Liam J. Nevins
Nevins was born on Sept. 11, 1981, in Middlebury, Vt. Nevins enlisted in the U.S. Army under the delayed entry program prior to his graduation from Bristol Borough High School.
Upon entering active duty, he was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C. Shortly after being promoted to the rank of sergeant, he deployed with the 504th in 2003 as a rifle team leader in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. He completed two more deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005.
Nevins attended Metropolitan State College of Denver from Aug. 2006 to May 2009, after leaving active duty service.
In May of 2009, he enlisted into the Colorado Army National Guard. Nevins attended the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. from Jan. 2010 to Aug. 2011. He was assigned to Co. B, 5th Bn., 19th SFG (A) in Fort Carson, Colo.
His military education includes the United States Army Infantry School, Airborne School, Primary Leadership Development Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Reconnaissance Surveillance Leaders Course, Ranger School, Special Operations Language Training Arabic Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course as a communications sergeant, and the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course.
His Awards include a Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd Award), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Bronze Numeral Two, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Colorado Meritorious Service Medal, and the Colorado Active Service Medal.
Nevins is survived by his mother, his father, two sisters, and his fiancé.
Staff Sgt. Timothy R. McGill
McGill joined the Marines in Hawaii in 2001 as a machine gunner and was assigned to the 3 rd Marine Division. He deployed with the 3rd Marine Div. in 2005. He joined the Rhode Island National Guard in 2008, and was assigned to 1st Bn., 200th Infantry Battalion as an anti-armor specialist. In 2011, McGill graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a weapons sergeant and was assigned to Co. A, 2nd Bn., 19th SFG (A).
His military education includes U.S. Army Airborne School, Combat Lifesaver Course, Combatives Level I Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, French Special Operations Language Training, Level I, the Special Forces Qualification Course and Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course.
McGill's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, Naval Unit Citation, the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4th award), the Non-commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 2) and the Special Forces Tab.
He is survived by his parents and two sisters.
Spc. Joshua J. Strickland
Strickland enlisted in the Army in June, 2008, as a wheeled vehicle mechanic.
Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, Strickland was assigned to Group Service Support Company, Group Support Battalion, 1st SFG (A).
Strickland's military education includes the Basic Airborne Course.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge.
He is survived by his wife, his son and two daughters.
For further information, media should contact the Special Forces Command Public Affairs Office during duty hours at 910-908-3947 or after duty hours at 910-689-6187.