Fort Bliss Soldiers Honored In Service Today

Slideshow:Photos from memorial held in Afghanistan.

A memorial service will be held for the three Fort Bliss soldiers who died Dec. 3 in Mosul, Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The service will be held in Chapel One on Wednesday.

Sgt. First Class Clark A. Corley, Jr., Spc. Ryan M. Lumley, and Spc. Thomas J. Mayberry died of injuries sustained during an IED attack. All were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

“1st Armored Division and Team Bliss lost three outstanding Soldiers on Dec. 3 in eastern Afghanistan. We are keeping their wives, children, families and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard, commanding general, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. “Our three soldiers gave the last full measure of devotion for what they believed in and fought for every single one of us. Freedom is definitely not free,” he added.

Corley, 35 of Oxnard, Calif., was an Infantryman (MOS 11B) who entered the Army December 1995. He was previously stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Irwin, Calif., Fort Lee, Va., Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Camp Hovey, Korea, and Fort Hood, Texas. His military education includes Hazardous Materials Certification, Radiological Safety, Action Officer Development Course and Sling Load Inspection Certification. Corley’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal-Fourth Award, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge. He is survived by his spouse and one child.

Lumley, 21 of Lakeland, Fla., was an Infantryman (MOS 11B) who entered the Army from Tampa, Fla., March 2009. He was previously stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. Lumley’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He is survived by his spouse.

Mayberry, 21, of Springville, Calif., was an Infantryman (MOS 11B) who entered the Army from Oakland, Calif., January 2009. His previous assignments include Fort Benning, Ga. and Camp Casey, Korea. Mayberry’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

All three soldiers were posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. A memorial ceremony in honor of these fallen Soldiers will be coordinated and announced at a later date.

Soldiers from the 3-1 BCT deployed to Southwest Asia in September and October 2011, to provide stability and security operations. The “Bulldog” Soldiers are joining a joint, combined NATO military coalition, comprised of U.S. Marines, Airmen and Sailors, and about 70 international militaries forces throughout Afghanistan. “NATO forces mission is to respond to crises, and deter or defeat state and non-state aggression. NATO forces will also support the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan in order to establish the conditions for regional security, stability, and prosperity,” according the CENTCOM Web Site.