Two area soldiers killed in Afghanistan
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Two soldiers serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 28th Division from the Connellsville Township Readiness Center were killed Friday and a third soldier wounded, while on foot patrol in Afghanistan, according to information released by the National Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap. Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Fike, 38, of Conneautville in Crawford County and Staff Sgt. Bryan A. Hoover, 29, of West Elizabeth in Allegheny County were conducting a security patrol in Zabul Province when the provincial reconstruction team they were working with were attacked by a suicide bomber.
Pfc. Anthony Spangler of Howard in Centre County was also wounded in the attack. He has returned to duty.
According to a press release issued by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, several Afghan civilians were also killed in the attack.
Col. Ros Gammon, commander of the 1st/110th Infantry Battalion, that includes the Connellsville unit, said Sunday that he was profoundly sadden when he learned of the loss of two soldiers.
“I am deeply sorry for the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Fike and Staff Sgt. Hoover,” he said. “I cannot begin to imagine the impact of this loss will have on their families.
“They will be in our prayers and their contributions to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the United States Army will never be forgotten.”
Nearly 250 Pennsylvania Guardsmen from the 1st/110th Infantry, including soldiers from Company C based in Connellsville Township and Company D soldiers based in Pittsburgh along with the South Carolina 1st/178th Field Artillery Unit and the Guam Army National Guard were deployed to eastern Afghanistan in late March.
Their mission is to accompany Naval and Air Force officials to villages within their area of operation to discuss how the allied forces can aid their communities with infrastructural improvements, governmental matters, construction of schools and development of agriculture in the region.
Maj. Gen. Randall Marchi, commander of the 28th Division said the soldiers, were a part of the skilled Zabul reconstruction team.
“These were experienced soldiers who had done other combat deployments and were dedicated to serving the nation and the Commonwealth,” said Marchi. “It is a tragic loss and we send our heartfelt sympathies to their families and friends.”
Maj. Dan Cody, current Provost Marshall with the Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade in Philadelphia, was acquainted with Fike and Hoover.
“They were really good soldiers and really good guys,” he said. “There are always guys in the unit you can call upon to get things done; whether it is doing extra things or coming in on off weekends.
“These were guys that were always at the top of the list. They loved what they did; they were excellent soldiers and excellent leaders.”
Cody said that both Fike and Hoover would not be forgotten by those that knew them.
“These guys left a mark on everybody they came in contact with,” he said. “These were good examples of what soldiers should be.
“It is a huge loss for the unit and the families.”
Fike was a 1989 graduate of Penn Trafford High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University.
He joined the National Guard in 1993. In addition to his stateside service, Fike served an overseas tour of duty in Saudi Arabia in 2002 and in Iraq in 2007 with the 28th Military Police Company. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Hoover was a track coach with the Elizabeth-Forward School District. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1994 and served 10 years on active duty before joining the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He joined the National Guard in 2005.
Hoover’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Pennsylvania Commendation Medal, U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Air Assault Badge and Humanitarian Service Medal.
He also served in Iraq with the Military Police Company.
Fike and Hoover will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Memorial service arrangements have not been confirmed.
The Pennsylvania Army National Guard has lost 36 soldiers in the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.