When a serviceman or woman is lost in battle, it has become customary to arrange their boots, rifle and helmet in the configuration as above. The surviving members of the unit will gather around the “Battlefield Cross” to memorialize their fallen comrade.

Note: This site is not only for those that died in battle, it is for those that have passed on and were veterans of the greatest Regiment in the United States Army. Noli Me Tangere!

“Not for fame or reward, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty.”
–Inscription at Arlington Cemetary

“Each of these heroes stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase in its blessings.”
— Franklin Delano Roosevelt

2012-Present

Honoring those who served with the Regiment and have died in recent years.

BG (R) Claude E. Fernandez Jr February 22 1935 – March 24 2015 Commander 2-4 IN 1971-1972

COL (R) Clifton Albert Ripperger III June 21 1948 – June 11 2014, Commander 2-4 IN 1988-1990

Richard Behnke October 9, 1966 – May 19, 2019, 2-4 IN (PFC) Served from 1987-1989.

2001-2017

Honoring those who fought and died in combat during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve

SGT Robert Paul Kassin, Died July 16, 2006

SSG Robert J. Chimento II, Died – Jul 17, 2006

CPL Isaiah Calloway, Died Oct 30, 2006

CPL Conor G. Masterson,  Died – Apr 08, 2007

CPL Zachery Ryan Endsley, Died – July 23, 2006

PFC Tan Quoc Ngo, Died – Aug 27, 2008

CPL Joseph Michael Hernandez, Died – Jan 9, 2009

MAJ Brian M. Mescall, Died – Jan 9, 2009

SGT Jason Ray Parsons, Died – Jan 9, 2009

CPT Mark A. Garner, Died – Jul 6, 2009

SSG Marc Andrew Arizmendez, Died – Jul 6, 2010

SPC Roger Lee, Died – Jul 6, 2010

PFC Michael S. Pridham, Died – Jul 6, 2010

PFC Devon J. Harris, Died – Nov 27, 2010

SPC Omar Soltero, Died – Jan 31, 2011

SSG Michael J. Garcia, Died – Apr 4, 2011

PVT Brandon T. Pickering, Died – Apr 10, 2011

PFC Jonathan M. Villanueva, Died – Apr 27, 2011

SSG Matthew D. Hermanson, Died – Apr 28, 2011

SPC Dennis James Jr., Died – Aug 31, 2011

SGT Rafael E. Bigai Baez, Died – Sept 23, 2011

PFC Carlos A. Aparicio, Died – Sept 23, 2011

1st LT Andres Zermeno, Died – Sept 25, 2011

SPC Alexander W. Missildine, Died –  Oct 1, 2017

1950-1990

The Cold War

During the Cold War there were numerous Soldiers that died while serving in the 4th Infantry Regiment. We honor their service and their sacrifice. We are in the process of finding these records and updating them here. Please be patient and if you are aware of any please notify us so we can verify them and place their name and circumstances on this site.

AUG 18 1972 – Pegnitz Germany 33 members of the Heavy Mortar Platoon were being transported by a CH-47A helicopter from Ludwigsburg to Grafenwoehr for a live fire training exercise. Fatigue failure of the rear rotor blade led to its separation causing structural damage resulting in the crash and explosion that killed all 37 on board, including four crew members (4th Aviation Company, 15th Aviation Group).

A memorial was placed near the crash site and it reads:

“Unser Sohn, unser Bruder, ein Junge, ein Mann.
Sein Versprechen mit Glauben gehalten.
Seiner Herausforderung mit Mut entgegengetreten.
Seine unerfüllten Träume so bald mit Gott verbunden.”
18. August 1971

“Our son, our brother, a boy, a man.
Kept his promise with faith.
Met his challenge with courage.
His unrealized dreams connected with God so soon.”
August 18, 1971

HHC 2-4 IN

PFC Vernon L. Ailstock Jr
PFC Michael L. Annis
SP4 Fernando Apodaca
SGT Terry E. Bowerman
PFC Samuel M. Cherry
PFC Mark P. Connors
PFC Raymond H. Cork
SGT Harold D. Dillaman Jr
PFC David P. Dunks
1LT John E. Echterling Jr
PFC John P. Egeland
PFC Charles E. Fife
PFC Raymond T. Gadbois
SGT George J. Gongaware
PFC Roger M. Hartman
PFC Paul E. Hickson
PFC Lawrence H. Karaschin
PFC Arthur R. Kearney
PFC Eric L. Landry
PFC Edward A. Monnin Jr
PFC Eddie W. Nichols
PFC David A. Person
PFC Ronald R. Pestka
1LT Henry L. Pittard Jr
SGT Christopher W. Pyzik
SP5 Russell L. Schober
PFC Ronald F. Scholl
SSG Paten L. Smith
PFC David W. Stover
PFC Noel Velez
PFC Jeffrey M. Vickerman
PFC Clarence C. West
PFC Richard Willis

4-15 AVN:

CPT James W. Hensley [P]
CW3 James H. Perry [P]
SP5 Lawrence J. Angelini [FE]
SP4 Dennis A. Ferraro [CE]

1920-1949

World War II

John N. Adams
Lyle J. Adams
Woodrow Anderson
Wayne A. Barnes
Claude Barrett
Elmer Blomquist
Charles J. Blozevich
Charles M. Bone, Jr
Luther G. Brewer
Paul Chounard
Richard S. Clark
Edward Y. Daniel
Lloyd A. Elwell
Robert E. Fine
Ross Galati
Kieth N. Garvie
Richard Hall
Donald G. Hanson
Warner P. Hanson
Howard E. Heine
Oliver Hilborne
Howard W. Hoelscher
Homer R. Hood
Arthur R. Huebner
Claude J. Hunter
Albert L. Jenson
Harold M. Jewell
James C. Jones
Ralph F. Joseph
Leonard J. Kaufman
Anthony Konwent
Henry H. Krause
Frank Krupa
Norman C. Lohi
Bert Lucken
Fredrick V. McDonald
John M. Munro
Duane Murchison
Donald B. Newman
Melvin F. Nordlund
Russell L. Payton
Joseph P. Pendergast
John L. Rands
Robert C. Reeder
Kelly M. Robbins
Lonnie C. Sands
Thomas A. Schoonover
George W. Schroth, Jr.
Arthur S. Shapiro
Harry R. Sieben
Cecil L. Siefke
Maurice Smith
Kenneth G. Washburn
Marshall Weimer
Nils O. Wiker
Charles B. Young

1899-1919

World War I

Philippine-American War

1866-1898

Spanish-American War

1861-1865

Civil War

1842-1860

Indian Wars

Mexican-American War

1808-1841

Seminole War

War of 1812

Indian Wars (Northwest Territory)