Special Forces Soldiers Honored

A memorial service was held on June 22, 2005, to remember four Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan soldiers who were killed in action supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Army Capt. Charles Robinson, Sgt. 1st Class Victor Cervantes, Staff Sgt. Leroy Alexander and Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper were honored at the ceremony. Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan photo.

Soldiers honor four comrades who were killed in actionin eastern Afghanistan.

By Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, June 24, 2005 — Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan honored four Special Forces soldiers who were killed in action in eastern Afghanistan. The soldiers were remembered during a sunset memorial service June 22.

U.S. Army Capt. Charles Robinson and Staff Sgt. Leroy Alexander were killed in action June 3, 2005, when they were attacked by hostile forces by a remotely detonated improvised explosive device in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper was severely wounded in action during the same improvised explosive device strike. Piper passed away as a result of his wounds at the Army Burn Center, Fort Sam Houston, June 16. Sgt. 1st Class Victor Cervantes was killed in action June 10 while responding to Coalition Forces in contact with the enemy in the vicinity of Paktika Province.

All four soldiers were killed while conducting their assigned tasks during operations in the Paktika Province.

“These warriors exemplified personal courage, unwavering values, commitment and selfless service. They were willing to lay it all on the line to secure the American way of life and to free others from oppression,” said the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan commander.

Robinson, Cervantes, Alexander and Piper were honored with “Taps,” sharp salutes, and a prayer. The ceremony ended with a final Benediction, “Ballad of the Green Berets” and individuals rendering final respects.


See Also: Alexander; Robinson; Piper; Cervantes