BRIAN R. HOKE

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Brian Hoke '96 was killed in action with ISIS militants outside Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on October 21, 2016. His friend, Nathaniel Delemarre, was also killed while attempting to come to Brian's aid.

A native of South Dakota, Brian became a SEAL in 1997. He served at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two and SEAL Teams Three and Seven. Brian married Christy in 2008; he adopted her two boys, Sean and Stuart. Brian's daughter, Adelaide, was born in 2015.

Through his humility, sense of humor, talent, dedication and love for others, Brian became a larger than life figure who touched the souls of people from all walks of life. Most recently, Brian devoted himself to helping those from his group who had been wounded or killed, raising thousands of dollars for those who could no longer serve and those left behind.

Brian is survived by his wife, Christy; their three children, Sean, Stuart and Adelaide; his parents, Dan and Virginia; sister, Mary; brother, Dan Jr.; and their families.

Brian loved his family, his friends and his country. He gave his life protecting those he loved. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRIAN_R._HOKE

MATTHEW C. FREEMAN, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Capt. Matt Freeman, USMC '02 was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 7, 2009. A naval aviator, he was embedded with the Fourth Marines Embedded Training Team when he was killed by rifle fire. (His wings were those of his grandfather, a RADM, and his father, CDR Gary Freeman '76).

A Marine remembered:

As we moved in and took fire a bullet hits in between me and Capt Freeman and goes through the floor. We rush out and charge the hill with our other brothers. I remember seeing Matt majestically pull an Afghan rifleman by the belt to pull him back in the midst of fire because he was so scared he was going to get hit and wouldn’t move. Matt returned fire and talked on the radio to the apaches above and looked like a combat angel. I’ve never seen somebody so cool. We made the decision to move to higher ground and Matt and I cleared a home and made for the roof. There was a lull in the fighting. We started talking and he told me about his wife, a precious girl, and how he couldn’t wait to talk to her on the phone with her later. I then snapped a photo of us looking cool. The fighting picked back up when I felt a bullet hit near my feet and I said we need to get down. “You go first, I’ll cover you.” Those were the last words he said to me.

I still hurt ten years later. I miss a friend I only knew for about 16 hours more than anyone should. And getting to know his precious family has been a joy. Matt will be remembered as the coolest, strongest, most courageous man I know. My sons will know him and honor him like I do. Matt, you are sorely missed, even ten years later. I love you, man. I can’t wait to finish our conversation as we praise God together in Heaven.

Matt was survived by his wife, parents, grandparents, two sisters, brother, and many other loving nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is buried at the Naval Academy Cemetery.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MATTHEW_C._FREEMAN,_CAPT,_USMC

BRANDON A. BARRETT, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT Brandon Barrett, USMC '06 was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 5, 2010. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. It was his second deployment to Afghanistan.

Known as "Bull," his friend said of him: "He never backed down from anything. There was nothing that Brandon couldn't do. There was no challenge that he couldn't overcome. He took on anything you put in front of him. He was just such a great guy."

Brandon was promoted posthumously from 1st Lieutenant to Captain, and is survived by his parents, Brett and Cindy, his sisters, Ashley Benavidez and Taylor Barrett, and his brother, Brock. He is buried in Indiana.

His page on Virtual Memorial Hall has many photos and a heartfelt remembrance from his classmate & friend, Major Ryan Pallas, USMC.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRANDON_A._BARRETT,_CAPT,_USMC

DANIEL B. BARTLE, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT Daniel Bartle, USMC '06 was lost on January 19, 2012 when the CH-53D helicopter he was piloting crashed in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The other five Marines aboard were also killed; they were members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 363.

From "Shipmate":

Captain Daniel B. Bartle, USMC, died on 19 January 2012 in a helicopter crash while serving our country in Afghanistan. He was 27 years old.

"Dan" was born on 9 April 1984 in Salinas, CA, to John and Sandra Bartle. He lived in Missoula, MT, before moving to Ferndale, WA, as a high school freshman. He graduated as valedictorian from Ferndale High School in 2002 with a 4.0 GPA.

Upon graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006 with a B.S.in electrical engineering and a minor in Spanish, which he spoke fluently, he chose to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned numerous awards and medals including two Air Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.

His strong work ethic, love of laughter, and humility made him adored and admired by all those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Dan enjoyed traveling, snowboarding, kite surfing, power lifting and listening to music.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael, in 1997. He is survived by his parents, John and Sandra Bartle; sister, Sheila and her husband, John Davis and their children, Ashley Kennedy and Collin Davis; brother, John and his wife, Anastasia Bartle and their children, Hannah, Emma, Sophia, Ava and Julia; Michael's sons, Bishop and Devon Bartle and their mother, Shelly Verwolf; and many loving family members and friends.

Dan is buried in Missoula, Montana.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DANIEL_B._BARTLE,_CAPT,_USMC