SPC David A. Hess

US ARMY - 25 years old

Oct 10th 2024 marks the 14th year since the passing of SPC David A. Hess, 25, US Army. We honor and remember him, his family and his mother Kathy Dowler of Parkersburg WV.

David was born April 28th, 1985, in Parkersburg WV and was killed by a roadside bomb Oct 10th, 2010, while on patrol in Kabul. He was riding in the lead vehicle that was crossing a bridge when a bomb went off, killing him. The bridge had been cleared of explosives seven minutes prior. He was 25. David was a Land Combat Electronic Missile System Repairer assigned to Company D., 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. 

"They brought a very special hero back home. He served his country. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country," said Michael McLain, Commandant of the Wood County Marine Corps League Detachment 1087 at his return ceremony. The Patriot Guard Riders escorted the funeral procession from Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home to the South Parkersburg Baptist Church. Hundreds of riders were on hand and made a flag line in front of SPBC on arrival.

Sarah Hess said her brother talked about seeing his buddies hit by a roadside bomb. She spoke to him by phone on her birthday and the two chatted over the computer once or twice a week. "He was scared," she said. "There was a roadside bomb and one of the guys in his platoon had been killed and he was scared."

David was raised in the Slate Creek WV area. He attended Mineral Wells Elementary School, Edison Junior High. and a graduate of Parkersburg South High School class of 2003. He wrestled and played football for Mineral Wells, Edison and South.  He was a Wood County, West Virginia native.  He loved hunting, fishing, serving his country, hanging out with friends and spending time with his son, Bryor.  He loved being a father to Bryor and a husband to Diane.

David was well-liked at Parkersburg South High where he represented his school as a strong contributing member of the wrestling team.  David was part of a Parkersburg South High School championship wrestling team. Tim McCartney was the coach of the 2003 South High wrestling team, of which David was a member. He says that while Hess wasn't a starter on that team, he contributed to its success. McCartney says that, because Hess loved what he called the "heat of battle" that came from being on the wrestling team, he isn't surprised David later joined the Army. "I have a son in the Army, and he loves the Army, too," McCartney said. "But he was the kind of kid who you would want to be the one to defend our freedoms and put out there knowing he'd do a good job, and he gave everything he had. McCartney added that more than his dedication to his team, he knew how to have fun. David's religion and his faith were also important to him.

David is survived by his wife and son, Diane Halle Hess and Bryor of Florida, his mother Kathy Dowler of Parkersburg, his father Jeff Hess of Sandyville and sisters Christie Hess of Pomeroy OH,  and Sarah Hess of Oneonta Alabama, who is serving 203rd Military Police Battalion of the US Army. (she joined in 2011 in honor of her brother)

Davids favorite quote was "Only the dead have seen the end of war" which he had tattooed between his shoulders.

Let us remember him, his family, their sacrifice and always...

Say His Name...

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#neverforget

#SayTheirNames

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#goldstarfamilies

#rememberthefallen

#goldstarbridgeride

US NAVY - 24 years old

Jan 9th marks the anniversary of the passing of MM2 Joseph “Joey” Ashley. USN, 24 of Spencer WV.  Today we honor and remember Joey, his family. and his mother Vicki Ashley-Matics of Spencer WV.

Joey was born Sept 4th 1980 in Akron Ohio and died Jan 9th 2005. Joey was killed in an underwater collision while serving on his submarine the USS San Francisco (SSN-711) on patrol off the coast of Gaum. 

Joey was a 1999 graduate of Manchester High School, where he was a member of the marching band and was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 118. After graduation he chose to follow his father's footsteps and joined the Navy in 2001 and became a Navy Machinist 2nd Class.

Ashley died Jan. 9, 2005, when the submarine he was on, the U.S.S. San Francisco, struck an undersea mountain 360 miles southeast of Guam. The submarine was traveling at maximum speed and was submerged 525 feet when it struck the undersea mountain. Ashley was thrown 20 feet and struck his head on a large metal pump and was knocked unconscious.

According to the Ship’s Engineering Officer and Navigation Officer, Ashley had an impressive reputation at Naval Base Guam. As subs would pull in for repairs, especially diesel issues, they would first look to see if the San Francisco was in port in hopes that Ashley was on board and available to do the repairs, as he always seemed to know how to fix even the toughest problems.

He was also a member of both the Canal Fulton Baptist Church and the Akron Baptist Temple and frequented many other churches in the area. Wherever he was based, he found a church to attend. Joey never met a stranger. His personality captured and affected each of us in its own way, and his memory will remain in our hearts forever.

Let us remember him and his family and always...

Say his name.

#goldstarbridgeride

#SayTheirNames

#NeverForget #GoldStarMotherss #GoldStar #goldstarfamilies

#navy #submariner