2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

Story by Pfc. Michael Schuch

By Pfc. Michael Schuch
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – A memorial service was held in honor of Capt. Gregory Dalessio, the civil affairs officer for the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, and Pfc. Bryan Thomas, a Soldier in the personal security detachment for the 2-6 Inf. Regt. at Combat Outpost Carver June 28.

The Soldiers were killed when their squad came under attack from small arms fire as they were leaving a local council meeting in Salman Pak June 23.

Attending the ceremony were leaders and Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and the Task Force 2-6 "Gators."

Dalessio, a native of Cherry Hill, N.J., was commissioned in the U.S. Army May 29, 2004 and was serving in his second deployment to Iraq.

Thomas, a native of Lake Charles, La., enlisted in the U.S. Army Jan. 23, 2006 and was serving in his first deployment to Iraq.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps and a rifle salute in honor of Dalessio and Thomas. Soldiers in attendance then paid their respects to the Soldiers by approaching the fallen soldier memorials set up for their fallen comrades in pairs, saluting and holding a moment of silence.

Dalessio is survived by his mother, Maureen Pagano and his stepfather, Thomas Pagano, of Cherry Hill, N.J. and his father, Robert Dalessio, of Philadelphia, Pa.

Thomas is survived by his daughter, Brenasia Marie Thomas and his mother, Diane Faye Thomas and father, Saundrus Jacobs, of Lake Charles, La.

Distinguished guests included Maj. Gen. Michael L. Oates, commander of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Col. Pat White, commander of the 2nd BCT and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Eyer, Command Sgt. Maj. of the 2nd BCT.

Associated Images

Control Panel