Ryan Clark Garbs, age 20, from Edwardsville, Illinois, Madison county.
Service era: Iraq
Military history: Company B, 3D Battalion, 75Th Infantry, Fort Benning, Ga
Date of death: Sunday, February 18, 2007
Death details: Qalat, Afghanistan
Source: Department of Defense
Joseph E. Rimkus, age 22, from Edwardsville, Illinois, Madison county.
Parents: Bridget Brooks
Service era: Khobar Towers Bombing
Date of death: Tuesday, June 25, 1996
Death details: Terrorists bombed the Khobar Towers, a housing unit near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killing 19 Air Force personnel and injuring about 400 other Americans.
Cemetery: Barrancas National
Source: Air Force, findagrave.com, Associated Press (1996)
Ronald Edward Rohrkaste, age 20, from Edwardsville, Illinois, Madison county.
Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment
Date of death: Friday, February 9, 1968
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Rohrkaste distinguished himself while serving as an Infantryman with Company C, 1/35th Infantry. On 9 February 1968, Company C was conducting a search and destroy operation a few miles west of Hoi An. As the forward element cautiously moved through a small abandoned village, it was subjected to intense hostile automatic weapon and recoilless rifle fire from well-concealed positions in the village. Private First Class Rohrkaste reacted immediately, placing effective return fire on the hostile positions. He maintained fire superiority long enough to allow his comrades to maneuver into effective positions safely. The enemy, recognizing his effectiveness against them, launched a ground assault on his position. Private First Class Rohrkaste courageously maintained his position against the advancing enemy. He eliminated several of the enemy soldiers, causing the remaining hostile elements to withdraw to a trench line complex nearby. Seeing several of his comrades injured and lying in the open, Private First Class Rohrkaste again exposed himself to the hostile fire to reach the wounded men. After checking their wounds, he moved them to safety. As he brought the last wounded man to safety, he was mortally wounded by hostile small arms fire. His efforts contributed immeasurably to the successful defeat of the hostile assault and clearly prevented more serious casualties. Private First Class Rohrkaste’s personal bravery, concern for the welfare of his comrades, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Cemetery: Bartlett Cemetery in Pin Oak Township
Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association