Second Lieutenant Edward L. Chatlos

Born in New York City on 6 February 1912, "Ed" Chatlos received his B.A. from Fordham University in 1933 and his LL.B from the same institution in 1936. After passing the New York Bar in August 1936, Chatlos engaged in the private practice of law in New York City until March 1942, when he enlisted as a private in the Army.

After completing JAG Corps OCS at the University of Michigan in April 1943 and receiving his commission as a second lieutenant, Chatlos completed his studies at The Judge Advocate General's School in July 1943. He was assigned to the Office of The Judge Advocate General for a short period prior to his departure for duty with the Foreign Claims Service in the North African Theater of Operations.

2d Lt. Chatlos died as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident in Sicily on 25 July 1944.

Colonel Charles P. Burnett, Jr.

Colonel Charles P. Burnett, Jr. was declared missing in action on 26 July 1944. At the time of his disappearance, he was on a special mission in the Pacific area. The War Department later announced that he had been killed in an airplane accident.

Born in Seattle, Washington on August 14, 1904, he received his law degree from the University of Washington in 1927 and practiced law from 1927 until May 29, 1941, when he entered the Army on extended active duty. Having previously been commissioned a captain in the Judge Advocate General Officer Reserve Corps, Burnett was promoted to major after having served six months in the Military Affairs Division, The Judge Advocate General's Office, Washington, D.C. During this time, then Major Burnett was on special duty in connection with Army operations of strike-bound plants and co-authored a confidential manual, Military Operation of Industrial Plants. This manual was subsequently adopted by the War Department for use in such work.

Burnett was promoted to colonel on February 25, 1944 and was assigned to the General Staff Corps at the time of his death.

Colonel Albert Svihra

Colonel Albert Svihra was killed in action when the Japanese ship on which he was being transported as a prisoner of war was sunk by an American submarine in the South China Sea on October 24, 1944.

Upon graduating from the US Military Academy in 1922, Svihra was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps and transferred to the Field Artillery in 1926. In 1935, he was detailed to the Judge Advocate General's Department. He attended law school at the University of Virginia and graduated with high honors in 1939. When World War II broke out, Maj. Svihra was serving as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Philippine 1st Regular Division commanded by Maj. Gen. Wainwright and he was the only Army lawyer on the division staff.

On May 6, 1942, Gen. Wainwright surrendered all American forces on Corregidor, and Svihra and more than 10,000 other American soldiers became a prisoner of war. On May 23, 1942, Svihra boarded the Japanese freighter Hakko Maru and sailed for Manila, where he was imprisoned in Bilibid Prison. He subsequently moved to a POW camp in Cabanatuan, where he was appointed the camp judge advocate by the American POW commander, advising on the provisions of the Geneva Convention of 1929 with respect to the treatment of POWs and the wounded and sick. Unfortunately, as Japan had not ratified the Convention, compliance was infrequent at best. On October 24, 1944, he and other POWs were aboard the Japanese ship Arisan Maru and were being transported to another camp when it was torpedoed by a U.S. Navy submarine.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Koster

Lt. Col. Peter Koster was killed in action while a prisoner of war of the Japanese Government during World War II. Born in Krestaina, Greece, on August 15, 1889, Koster enlisted in the Army on February 4, 1911 at the age of 21. He served continuously until June 5, 1918, when he was discharged to accept a commission as a second lieutenant.

After World War I, Koster lost his officer's commission but, deciding to remain in the Army, he enlisted on October 31, 1919 and had continuous service until he was appointed a warrant officer, Regular Army, in August 1921. On October 30, 1941, Koster was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer, Regular Army. At the time, this was the highest warrant officer rank.

Koster was serving as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Philippines when World War II broke out. In February 1942, he was discharged to accept an appointment as a Captain, Judge Advocate General's Department, with duty at Headquarters, Philippine Division, Fort William McKinley.

Koster was taken prisoner when American forces in the Philippines surrendered on May 6, 1942. On December 15, 1944, he was one of 1,619 prisoners of war in the hold of a Japanese troop ship. The vessel was en route to Japan and was in Subic Bay when it was attacked and sunk by American bombers. The Japanese had failed to mark their ship as a prisoner of war transport and consequently the naval aviators attacking the vessel did not know that their fellow Americans aboard. Koster was posthumously promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Lieutenant Colonel Arch M. McKeever

Lt. Col. Arch Moller McKeever was killed in action while a prisoner of war of the Japanese Government during World War II.

Born in Spokane, Washington on October 4, 1896, McKeever practiced law in that city from 1920. He had been very active as a Reserve judge advocate in the Officers Reserve Corps in the 1920s and 30s. When he was called to active duty on April 17, 1941, McKeever was promoted to major and assigned as an Assistant Department Judge Advocate in the Philippine Islands.

After the outbreak of World War II, McKeever moved from Manila to Corregidor and, in late December 1941, he took command of the replacement depot on Bataan. This replacement unit received men discharged from the hospital, stragglers, and Filipino civilians. The military personnel were reassigned to organizations as replacements and the civilians were evacuated to a main civilian camp. As the depot commander, McKeever supervised the mess, sanitation and sleeping arrangements of all personnel, and arranged for their transport.

About January 1, 1942, McKeever was assigned as Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters, Mindanao Force and promoted to lieutenant colonel. McKeever remained in this position until the surrender of the Philippine Islands in May 1942. He was then taken prisoner by the Japanese. McKeever died when the SS Oryoku Maru, a Japanese prisoner of war ship on which McKeever was being transported, was bombed and sunk by American aircraft in Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, on December 15, 1944. McKeever was one of 942 American prisoners of war who lost their lives that day.

Lieutenant Colonel Frank G. Aigrisse

Frank George Aigrisse died of acute colitis--the direct result of malnourishment and maltreatment--in a prisoner of war camp on Honshu Island, Japan, on February 4, 1945.

Born in Belgium on October 25, 1897, Aigrisse came to the United States with his parents at an early age. He learned English and worked hard to graduate from both high school and law school while working to support his family. He passed the Ohio Bar exam in 1919 at the age of 22 years old. Aigrisse was commissioned a captain, Judge Advocate General's Department Reserve in March 1933.

When World War II broke out, Maj. Aigrisse was serving on active duty in Manila as the Assistant Department Judge Advocate, Philippine Department. Aigrisse moved to Corregidor and subsequently to Bataan where he served as Commanding Officer of II Corps' motor transport center.

In early March 1942, Aigrisse returned to Corregidor and, when Gen. Wainwright surrendered all American forces there on May 6, he was taken prisoner along with more than 10,000 American soldiers. Aigrisse was in the Cabanatuan POW camp until November 1942, when he was transported to a prisoner of war camp on Honshu Island, Japan. He died there on February 4, 1945. The War Department posthumously awarded him the Bronze Star Medal in 1947 for his meritorious service in Manila, Bataan and Corregidor.

Major Samuel L. Heisinger, Jr.

Major Samuel Lawrence Heisinger, Jr. died from illness on January 9, 1945, while held as a prisoner of war by the Japanese. Born in California in September 1902, Heisinger graduated from the University of California's Hastings College of Law in 1927 and worked in private practice and served in the California National Guard. He was called to active duty in the Judge Advocate General's Department in 1941 and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was promoted to major in April 1942 and was taken prisoner by the Japanese after Gen. Wainwright surrendered all American forces on May 6, 1942.

Heisinger was imprisoned briefly at Bilibid prison in Manila before being moved to Cabanatuan. In early November 1942, he was moved to a prisoner of war camp on Mindanao where he remained until June 1944. He was on board the Oryoku Maru, a prisoner transport ship, that was attacked and sunk in the Subic Bay by American bombers unaware that prisoners were on board. He survived the bombing of the ship only to die nearly a month later on board the Enoura Maru, another prisoner transport vessel. He suffered from malnutrition, malaria, colitis, and dysentery which led to his passing in January, 1945.

The Japanese buried Heisinger in a mass grave on the island of Taiwan. After World War II, these remains were removed to the Punchbowl Cemetery in Hawaii. The War Department posthumously promoted Heisinger to lieutenant colonel and awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service and the Purple Heart.

Captain Howard R. Andrews, Jr.

Captain Howard R. Andrews, Jr., was killed when the UH-1H in which he was a passenger struck a wire and crashed into the Saigon River near Bien Hoa, Vietnam, on April 17, 1970. Andrews, who was then serving as a trial defense counsel, had just left a counseling session with clients at the Long Binh confinement facility and was returning to the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi. Andrews was the only judge advocate killed in Vietnam.

"Howie" Andrews was born in Augusta, Georgia on September 3, 1942. He graduated from Georgia Tech University in 1965 (B.S., electrical engineering) and the University of Alabama School of Law in 1968. Just prior to graduating from law school, he enlisted in the Army but delayed his entry onto active duty until he finished his law degree and passed the Alabama Bar. In early 1969, Howie reported for duty and attended basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Then Private First Class Andrews served as an artilleryman with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. While in Vietnam with the "Screaming Eagles," Andrews worked as a legal clerk and then decided to apply for a commission in The Judge Advocate General's Corps. Today, the University of Alabama honors Capt. Howard R. Andrews' short but courageous career in the Army with a scholarship that is awarded annually to a deserving law student.

Corporal Sascha Struble

Corporal Sascha Struble was born in Bad Bruckenau, Germany. He graduated in 2002 from Indian River High School in Philadelphia, New York, and enlisted in the Army in November 2002. He attended Basic Training and Advance Individual Training, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

His first assignment was at the Legal Specialist, 2-72nd Armor Battalion, Camp Casey, Korea. After graduating from Airborne School, he was assigned to the 1-508th Airborne Infantry Battalion, Vicenza, Italy. CPL Struble deployed to Afghanistan in February 2004, where he served as a Paralegal NCO at a Forward Operating Base in Orgun-E, Afghanistan.

On 6 April 2005, CPL Struble's helicopter crashed in Ghazni, Afghanistan. He died along side of 17 fellow Americans. "In their short time, they made the world a better place," said Chaplain (MAJ) Joseph Fleury. "They brought laughter and light into our lives."

Chief Warrant Officer Five Sharon Swartworth

Chief Warrant Officer Five Sharon Swartworth was killed in action when the helicopter she was flying in was shot down in Tikrit, Iraq, on Nov. 7, 2003.

Chief Swartworth enlisted in the Army in 1977 and upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, began her career as a Personnel Administration Specialist at Fort Bragg. After serving in various positions to include; legal specialist and court reporter, Chief Swartworth rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class before her appointment as a warrant officer.

In 1985, Chief Swartworth was selected to become a Legal Administrator in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. In June 1999, Chief Swartworth was selected as the Warrant Officer of the Judge Advocate General's Corps. On 21 July 1999, she assumed that position, serving as the primary advisor to the Judge Advocate General of the Army, in all matters concerning Legal Administrators in the United States Army.

She was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for her exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility.

Sergeant Major Cornell W. Gilmore

Sergeant Major Cornell W. Gilmore was a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1980 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. He then enlisted in the United States Army in October 1981. He subsequently completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and AIT at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in March 1982.

His assignments ranged from Legal Specialist at 5th Combat Aviation Battalion, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Legal NCO at 3rd Sqdn, 12th Cavalry, Buedingen, Germany, to Chief Legal NCO, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Chief Legal NCO, I Corps, Fort Lewis, Washington. He was serving as the Sergeant Major of the Judge Advocate General's Corps when he was killed.

Sergeant Major Cornell Gilmore was one of six soldiers killed when the Black Hawk helicopter they were flying in was struck by enemy fire and crashed near Tikrit on November 7, 2003.

Sergeant Michael M. Merila

Sergeant Michael M. Merila is one of four children born into an Army family, his father a retired aviator, Chief Warrant Officer Four Michael Merila, and his mother, Lieutenant Colonel Susan Merila, a retired officer from the Military Intelligence Corps. After graduating in 1998 from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona, he enlisted in the Army in 2001. He attended Basic Training and AIT, Advanced Individual Training.

His first assignment was as the Legal Specialist, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Interim Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Lewis Washington, where in October of 2001, he won the I Corps and Fort Lewis Paralegal of the Year Award. SGT Merila made himself an integral part of the unit, and was twice recognized by Army senior leadership.

On 16 February 2004, one day before his 24th birthday, SGT Merila's convoy was attacked by enemy combatants using an improvised explosive devices and small arms near Tal Afar, Iraq. SGT Merila was the gunner on the rear vehicle of the convoy, pulling rear security for his friends and fellow soldiers. He suffered a mortal wound and died doing what he loved to do, selflessly serving his country.

Major Michael Martinez

Major Michael Martinez was born on April 29, 1962 in Frankfurt, Germany. His father, Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Raymond C. Martinez, was a career soldier and Vietnam veteran. Major Martinez enlisted in the Army in 1988 as a paralegal specialist.

Following the 147th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, Major Martinez reported to the 24th Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas where he served as a legal assistance attorney and trial counsel. In 2001 he was assigned to the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as the Chief of Military Justice and subsequently as the Chief of Administrative Law. In 2004 Major Martinez was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado as the Chief, Legal Assistance. Major Martinez volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the Fort Carson-based 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), and joined that unit in Iraq in November 2005.

On 7 January 2006 Major Martinez was returning from Baghdad to the 3rd ACR headquarters near Tal Afar, Iraq, when the Blackhawk helicopter he was flying in crashed, killing Major Martinez and 11 other passengers and crew. Major Martinez was posthumously promoted to Major on 10 January 2006.

Corporal Coty J. Phelps

Corporal Coty J. Phelps was born on June 16, 1986 in Kingman, Arizona. He graduated from Kingman High School North in May 2004, and enlisted in the United States Army through the Delayed Entry Program on September 2, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated Basic Combat Training and Advance Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina on November 12, 2004. Upon completion of Advance Individual Training, he attended Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Upon completion of Airborne School, he was assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division at Fort Richardson, Alaska. On May 11, 2005 he arrived to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 725th Support Battalion (Airborne) where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.

While deployed with 725th Support Battalion (Airborne), he served as the Paralegal NCO for the largest Battalion in the Brigade. CPL Phelps served at Forward Operating Base Kalsu. He was killed in action on May 17, 2007 during a convoy operation when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his vehicle in Iskandariyah.