Courtesy Photo | Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard, 20, Bismarck, N.D., was killed in action in Afghanistan, Dec....... read more read more
Editor’s note: The families of these soldiers are not prepared to make any statements or grant interviews at this time.
BISMARCK, N.D. – Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, announced today that two soldiers assigned to the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper) were killed in action Dec. 3 while on duty in Afghanistan. An additional soldier from the unit was wounded in the attack. They were conducting route clearance operations when an improvised explosive device struck their vehicle in southern Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde, 41, of Devils Lake, N.D., and Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard, 20, of Bismarck, were killed in action. Spc. Ian Charles Placek, 23, also of Bismarck, was wounded in the attack and is listed in stable condition at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
"Today is a sad day for North Dakota as we mourn the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Linde and Spc. Orgaard who were killed in action while serving our state and nation," said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. "Our hearts and prayers are with their families as they grieve the loss of their loved ones. Our thoughts are also with Spc. Placek as he recovers from his injuries. We will never forget these heroes or the last full measure of devotion they gave in defense of our homeland and our way of life."
The attack occurred at 7:58 a.m. CST, Dec. 3; local Afghanistan time was 6:28 p.m.
“We are extremely saddened by the loss of two of our soldiers and extend our most sincere condolences and prayers to their family and friends during this time of sorrow,” Sprynczynatyk said. “We also wish Spc. Placek a speedy recovery. We will always remember our brave soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”
Linde is survived by his wife, Adrienne, of Devils Lake, and four children. He also deployed to Iraq with the North Dakota National Guard’s 164th Engineer Battalion from August 2007 to April 2008. Linde originally enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1990. He served in the U.S. Army and Montana Army National Guard before returning to the North Dakota Guard in 2006. Since 2009, he served as a full-time instructor with the North Dakota National Guard’s 164th Regional Training Institute, Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake.
Orgaard is survived by his parents, Josephine and Jesse Orgaard, of Bismarck. He joined the North Dakota Army National Guard shortly before his graduation from Bismarck’s Century High School in 2011. This was his first overseas deployment.
The 818th Engineer Company is headquartered in Williston, N.D., with a detachment in Hazen, N.D. About 100 soldiers with the unit entered federal active-duty status, April 27, 2012. The unit arrived for duty in Afghanistan in June.
The North Dakota National Guard will announce funeral arrangements as soon as available.
The last North Dakota National Guard casualty in the global war on terrorism was six years ago. Including Linde and Orgaard, 14 North Dakota Guardsmen have died in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde
Age: 41
Hometown: Devils Lake, N.D.
Graduated from Sidney High School (Montana) in 1989
Military History
Military Occupational Specialties:
Combat Engineer (12B), Cannon Crewmember (13B), Bridge Crewmember (12C)
Awards and Decorations
Bronze Star Medal (Posthumously)
Purple Heart (Posthumously)
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3 awards) National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star (2 awards) Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign Star (Transition 1 Campaign) Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign Star (Iraqi Surge Campaign) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2 Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon NATO Medal (Posthumously) Combat Action Badge (Awarded July 28, 2012) Sapper Tab Meritorious Unit Commendation Marksman Badge, 9mm Pistol Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde (continued)
State Awards
North Dakota Legion of Merit
North Dakota National Guard Commendation Ribbon North Dakota National Guard Achievement Ribbon North Dakota National Guard Service Ribbon North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon Montana National Guard Campaign Ribbon
Military Schools
Officer Candidate School
Advanced Leadership Course/Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course Sapper Leadership Course Combat Engineer Advanced Individual Training Course Combat Life Saver Training Bridge Crewmember (12C) Route Reconnaissance and Clearance Course Army Instructor Course
Military Service Dates
North Dakota Army National Guard: December 1990 – May 1995 U.S. Army: May 1995 – October 1996 Montana Army National Guard: September 1998 – September 2002 Montana Army National Guard: July 2005 – March 2006 North Dakota Army National Guard: March 2006 – Present
Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard
Age: 20
Hometown: Bismarck, N.D.
Graduated from Century High School (Bismarck) in 2011
Military History
Enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard, January 2011 Military Occupational Specialty: Combat Engineer (12B)
Awards and Decorations
Bronze Star Medal (Posthumously)
Purple Heart (Posthumously)
Army Good Conduct Medal (Posthumously)
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign Star (Transition 1) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon (Posthumously) NATO Medal (Posthumously) Combat Action Badge (awarded July 28, 2012) Sharpshooter Badge, M16A2
State Awards
North Dakota Legion of Merit
North Dakota National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon
Military Schools
Combat Engineer Course (12B), 2011
| Date Taken: | 12.04.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.04.2012 23:10 |
| Story ID: | 98754 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,581 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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