Army Rangers killed in combat

U.S. Army Special Operations Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — An Army Ranger died April 18 while conducting combat operations in northern Iraq with B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

SSG James R. Patton died when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in which he was riding crashed.

Patton was on his seventh deployment. He had previously deployed twice to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan.

“(He) was the epitome of the American Ranger — warrior, patriot and dedicated to mission accomplishment,” said COL Michael Kurilla, 75th Ranger Regiment commander. “(His) spirit lives on in the Rangers he led in combat and the friends and families he touched throughout his life.”

Patton enlisted in July 2004. After completing one station unit training and the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to B Company. Patton is survived by his wife, Beatriz, and daughter, Cecilia, of Columbus; his parents, CSM Gregory and Sheila Patton of Indian Mound, Tenn.; brother, Cliff Edward Patton, and sister, Megan Sue Marie.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Two U.S. Army Rangers were killed in action Friday during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while assigned to D Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

SGT Ronald Alan Kubik, 22, a native of Brielle, N.J., and SGT Jason Anthony Santora, 25, a native of Massapequa Park, N.Y., were both seriously wounded in an engagement with an enemy force in Logar Province, Afghanistan.

Both Rangers were treated immediately by unit medical personnel and evacuated to the nearest treatment facility. They later succumbed to their wounds.

Kubik, enlisted in the U.S. Army in Philadelphia in March 2007. He served in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment for more than two years as an assistant machine gunner and as a rifle team leader with D Company.

Santora, 25, a native of Massapequa Park, N.Y., enlisted in the U.S. Army in Fort Hamilton, N.Y. in March 2006. He served in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment for more than three years as a mortar platoon ammunition bearer in Headquarters and Headquarters Company and as a rifle team leader with D Company.

“Sergeant Kubik and Sergeant Santora were warriors, true patriots and absolute heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation,” said COL Michael Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. “They were the epitome of the Ranger Fire Team Leader — fearless, leading from the front, and always concerned for their men. Winston Churchill said it best, ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few.’”

Kubik was on his third deployment in support of the war on terror with one previous deployment to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.

Santora was on his fourth deployment in support of the war on terror with one previous deployment to Afghanistan and two deployments to Iraq. “Sergeants Kubik and Santora were Ranger leaders of the highest caliber and brothers-in-arms who died fighting together,” said COL Dan Walrath, commander of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. “Their actions exemplify the fighting spirit of the Army Rangers and we will be eternally grateful for the examples they gave us in life.”

Kubik is survived by his father, Ronald A. Kubik of Hazlet, N.J., his mother, Eileen M. Kubik of Pleasant, N.J., and his sister, Amy L. Kubik of Brielle, N.J.Santora is survived by his father, Gary Santora of Medford, N.Y., his mother, Theresa Santora of Massapequa, N.Y., his sister, Gina Santora of Medford, N.Y., and his uncle, Ralph Fico of Massapequa Park, N.Y.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — An Army Ranger died April 9 from injuries sustained in a CV-22 Osprey crash while operating in southern Afghanistan with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

CPL Michael D. Jankiewicz, 23, was conducting a combat operation targeting a terrorist network in Zabul Province when the CV-22 Osprey in which he was riding crashed. Two U.S. Air Force crew members and a government contractor were also killed. Other Soldiers were injured in the crash.“Corporal Jankiewicz embodied the true spirit of the Ranger. He was a patriot, fearless in combat, and a true warrior. He represents the next ‘Greatest Generation,’” said COL Michael Kurilla, 75th Ranger Regiment commander. “I wish all of America could have witnessed the character, devotion to duty, and selfless service of Corporal Jankiewicz.”

Jankiewicz was on his fourth deployment in support of the war on terror. He had previously deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. “Corporal Jankiewicz was an inspiration to his unit — always optimistic and seeing the positive side of even the toughest situations. He was a true warrior who clearly understood what he was fighting for,” said COL Dan Walrath, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment commander. Jankiewicz enlisted in July 2006 from his hometown of Ramsey, N.J. During his service with A Co., he served as a grenadier, machine gunner and machine gun team leader.

Jankiewicz is survived by his father, Anthony Jankiewicz of Stroudsburg, Pa., and mother, Serena Jankiewicz of Ramsey, N.J.The cause of the crash is under investigation, though it is confirmed the crash did not result from enemy fire.

This story was originally published April 29, 2010 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Army Rangers killed in combat."