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Fort Lewis mourns three Stryker soldiers

Army: Friends, family honor three fallen soldiers

BRIAN EVERSTINE; The News Tribune | • Published September 17, 2009

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A long line of family, friends and Fort Lewis comrades filed to the front of the Army chapel, ending at the pictures and the gear of three fallen Stryker soldiers.

They offered slow salutes, quiet tears and private thoughts for the three infantrymen of Chosin Company, who were killed Aug. 31 by a pair of improvised bombs in an Afghanistan river valley.

“They indeed have deserved the full respect and honors of our country,” chaplain Capt. Ronaldo Silva said.

Before they met as members of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, the three came from different areas and walks of life.

Spc. Jonathan D. Welch, 19, grew up in Southern California and loved punk rock.

Pfc. Jordan M. Brochu, 20, hailed from Maine and was known for an interest in poetry and literature.

Spc. Tyler R. Walshe-Vietti, 21, called Northern California home, loved sports and played semi-pro football in Tacoma.

They were part of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, the unit that has sacrificed all nine of 5th Brigade’s fatal casualties in Afghanistan during August.

On Wednesday, the Pentagon announced the brigade’s first two casualties of September.

Welch, Brochu and Walshe-Vietti died on the third day of “Operation Opportunity Hold” – a fight to control part of the Argandab River Valley near Shuyene Sufia in southern Afghanistan.

The battalion’s commander said the soldiers went in knowing the dangers they faced, but with determination and courage.

“Despite the known threats in the objective area given to Chosin Company, these three heroes truly placed the mission first and executed their assigned tasks,” Lt. Col. Jonathan Newman said in a statement that was relayed at Wednesday’s ceremony.

The first bomb struck Walshe-Vietti’s vehicle, killing him. A short time later, another explosive hit the vehicle Welch and Brochu were in, killing them both.

After the second blast, the company fought to clear the area and take care of the bodies of their fallen comrades, Newman said.

“So this extremely tough day for Chosin Company and the Buffaloes showed us all what we have been telling ourselves for almost three years,” Newman said. “That we will always place the mission first, that we can’t, and won’t, accept defeat, that we’ll never quit and that we’ll sure as hell never leave a fallen comrade.”

The result of the campaign, according to commanders was that a village in the valley was secured. They said residents who had been intimidated and forced to flee their ancestral homes were able to return to their livelihoods.

The residents are beginning to trust the forces and stand up to their oppressors, Newman said.

“The sacrifices of Spc. Walshe, Spc. Welch and Pfc. Brochu gave us that opportunity, and I know there is not a single soldier here today who will give our enemy any chance to take back the initiative we paid so dearly to gain,” Newman said.

At the service, soldiers from units across Fort Lewis paid their respects, placing unit coins in front of the boots and weapons that symbolized the dead infantrymen. Bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” and an honor guard played taps after the volley of shots.

“Their death is yet another reminder of how tragically fleeting life is,” Silva said. “They were able to leave their mark on all of us, especially on those they served with.”

Brian Everstine: 253-597-8374

brian.everstine@thenewstribune.com