Honor Your Hero, share a photo and a short story about your loved one.
Email Name, Rank, Branch and Photo to operationheros@gmail.com
Say Their Name, Tell Their Story, Honor Them All
1SG Tracy “Dude” Stapley
Tracy graduated from Clearfield High in 1986. Known as “Dude” to those close to him. He served 26 years in the Army and 2 deployments. A huge patriotic Disney fan, he purchased a memorial brick with his name alongside the names of his wife and children, creating a lasting family tribute near the entrance to Disneyland. Tracy loved the 4th of July, U2 and basketball. He was always known to help out whether it was needed or not. He taught his children and wife about life and to always “just do it.” A loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We love and miss you most Dude!
PFC Cody Gene Hendrickson
Cody, our loved and missed hero. The most awesome dad in the whole world. The best son any parent could ever wish to have. The most inspiring and looked up to big brother. The most cherished grandson, nephew and cousin.
Maj Brad “Guro” Funk
An amazing and beloved husband & father, our HERO. We love and so grateful we will be together forever. Maj. Funk was a proud “Eagle Driver” and flew F-15C for most of his career. He logged 1000 hrs. in the Eagle, a senior pilot with over 1600 hrs. flying time and logged 80 hrs. of combat over Iraq. A Top Gun & a wonderful teacher to his students. He served an LDS mission to Montana, serving everyone around him (God, Family, Country). An amazing pilot and airman. We miss him every minute and know that he is not far. His love is so big that we feel it here, still and always. Eternally yours, Jen, Ty, Sophie and Addie
SGT Bryan Abercrombie
Bryan graduated from Clearfield High School in 1998. Bryan enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 11, 1999 and became a crew chief instructor on the UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter. On Sept. 11, 2001, Bryan arrived in Soto Cano AB, Honduras. On a training mission Dec. 11, 2002, the Blackhawk helicopter Bryan and four other soldiers were in went down in the mountains of Honduras.
Chaplain (CPT) Corey Comish Holmgren
Corey was a chaplain in the Utah Army National Guard and a Marriage and Family Therapist. He grew up in Tremonton, Utah and was a devoted husband and dad to four kids. He loved reading, swimming, being with his family, and drinking Dr. Pepper. His favorite color was red and his favorite movie was Braveheart.
Sgt Daniel Gurr
A son his mother was proud of, a brother that was looked up to, a captain on the soccer field, a leader on student counsel and a young man that followed his dream to proudly serve his country.
SPC Dan Dolan
Dan was born in Ogden, Utah. He loved playing hockey, baseball, football, soccer, but his favorite was snowboarding. He joined the Army shortly after graduating. He was assigned to the 1ST Battalion 23rd Infantry Regiment 3rd Brigrade 2nd Infantry Division SBCT (Stryker Brigrade Combat Team). He was KIA at the age of 19.
SPC David Gannon
A steadfast paratrooper and above all else a dear son, brother, friend and hero. Always remembered for his dedicated service to 1ST Platoon, Charlie Company, 2-505 PIR White Devils. David served as a Radio Telephone Operator and team leader with the unwavering loyalty. He will always be remembered as the one and only Charlie 1-6R.
SSgt Donald May Jr.
Amazing and loving husband. Doting and devoted father. Always had a grin on his face. A hunter and a Cubs fan.
PFC Garrett Reily Fox
A “Soldier of Service” PFC Fox won Soldier of the month for Aug. 2014. His dedication consists of National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He served an LDS Mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil. His hobbies included playing the guitar and especially loved music by the Beatles and Johnny Cash. He loved playing golf, watching sports, going to the movies, spending time with family and friends. He is loved and missed by all.
PO1 Jared Day
Jared was kind, generous, compassionate and loyal. He had the fiercest sense of humor and most contagious laugh.Jared was always helping others and he had a very special way of helping them realize that they mattered. To know Jared was to love him. He always found the best in the worst of any situation. He was a huge fan of the Marvel comics and enjoyed collecting memorabilia.
SGT Kortney Reese Jensen
Kortney was born in Brigham City, Utah and raised in Farmington, Utah. He was a father to two beautiful daughters, a husband, the big brother to two sisters and a son. From an early age Kort was a friend to all and especially to those who were in most need of a loyal friend. Kort had a love of motorcycles and the freedom of the outdoors. The open road and the solitude of nature is where he found peace. Kort was a member of the Army and served two tours of duty in Iraq. He loved his military service and brothers in arms. When going into combat he was the guy you wanted next to you and covering your back. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He is missed by many and loved by more.
LCpl Matthew Ryan Adams
Matthew wrote, “Life is life…Everybody should be open to the world and all it has to offer is infinite knowledge and experiences. You only get the chance to Live it.” Dec. 14, 2018
He was a hero in every way. He was a model Marine and an exceptional human being. He embodied the Marine Corps values for his whole life. He lived an extraordinary life before and as a Marine with honor, courage and commitment from his first breath July 25, 2000 to his last on Jan. 14, 2020. Matthew was bold, brave, adventurous, fun and fearless. Nothing was going to keep him on the ground. When he broke his leg at age 12 and was in a cast from his hip to his toes, he’d turn the crutches upside down and walked on them like stilts—cast and all.
CW3 Matthew Wagstaff
Matt was a bright and shining star the moment he came into this world. He excelled all through school and military career. He was big in stature, but a big teddy bear on the inside. Matt truly believed in “Paying It Forward” and would go out of his way to help anyone in need. While serving at Ft. Irwin, he had the opportunity to be one of the UH-60 Blackhawk pilots in the first “Transformers” movie and couldn’t wait to call home and tell us about it…our family watches the movie every year on his “Angelversary” surrounded by close friends and family. He is our Guardian Angel from the Heavens above now…FOREVERin our hearts & NEVER forgotten!
SGT Michael Lehmiller
Just looking at Michael you couldn’t help but love him. He always walked with a swagger and loved being a sky soldier. He lived his life to the fullest and believed in his country and the job he was doing. He loved his family very much and wanted to make sure our freedoms were always protected. He once wrote home, “When I look over my shoulder and see the flag, I know what I am fighting for. I don’t want to die but if so, I know I did so protecting the family and country I love.”
SGT Shawn Nelson
Shawn had love for books, computers, photography, traveling, music, making meals with whatever was around, his family, being an Airborne Soldier and so much more. His greatest joy was his 2 boys. Shawn will forever live on through them. Their smiles are as contagious as his was. He played the piano and guitar and had a great singing voice. He was spontaneous and loved adventures. He was proud to be an American Soldier. We love and miss him everyday! Gone but not forgotten.
CPL Todd McGurn
Todd volunteered at the Riverside Police Explorer K-9 unit at 16 years old. He loved dirt bikes, playing basketball and foosball. His dream in life was to serve his country and become a K9 Officer. He was killed in Baghdad, Iraq.
SSGT Tyson Williams
A hero for all. Ty always helped those in need. Magnetic and infectious, Ty had everyone always longing to be around him. He is cherished and missed beyond words by his parents, sister, family, friends and comrades.
HN Riley Gallinger-Long
Riley was a Navy Corpsman. He loved fishing and spending time with his family and friends laughing.