Tulsa World: Oklahoma soldier killed while patrolling airfield

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Saturday, November 21, 2009 | WIRELESS

Home > News > Article

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Oklahoma soldier killed while patrolling airfield

Brandon Farley of Haworth died Thursday of wounds sustained a day earlier when his patrol came under fire in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.Courtesy

By MANNY GAMALLO World Staff Writer
Published: 9/23/2008 2:11 AM
Last Modified: 9/23/2008 10:10 AM

NATO mission extended

Heroes of Oklahoma: View a memorial to the Oklahomans who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A McCurtain County soldier, described by his family as a fun-loving country boy who was "military all the way," was killed last week while on patrol in Afghanistan, officials said Monday.

The Department of Defense said Army Staff Sgt. Brandon W. Farley, 30, of Haworth, died Thursday at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained a day earlier when his mounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades in Able Monti, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Farley was the fourth Oklahoman to die Thursday in the Iraq-Afghanistan theater of operations. Three Oklahoma Army National Guard troops were killed when their Chinook helicopter crashed 60 miles west of Basra, Iraq on Thursday.

Four Texas National Guard troops — one of them a former Oklahoman — also were killed in the crash.

Farley's father, Wade Farley, who lives in the southeastern Oklahoma town of Tom,

said he was notified of his son's death Thursday by two military officers who had gone to his workplace in Ashdown, Ark.

Wade Farley said his son was born at Sulphur Springs, Texas, and spent his early life in Cleburne, Texas.

Brandon Farley spent his teenage years at Haworth, where he graduated from high school. Haworth is 220 miles southeast of Tulsa.

"He was a good kid," his father said. "He loved guns and shooting. He loved to go four-wheeling and he loved the social life.

"But one thing he didn't like was getting dirty.

"He enjoyed the finer things in life — the best of whatever he could afford," Wade Farley said.

Out of high school, Farley said, his son joined the Marines and did one tour of dury.

Brandon Farley then enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and later enlisted in the active-duty Army, his father said.

During his first four years in the Army, Wade Farley said, his son saw duty in Iraq but "never said much about his duty there."

Wade Farley said the military was in his son's blood, and he was proud of his service and proud to be doing something for the country.

He said his son re-enlisted in the Army and was sent to Afghanistan.

Farley's brother, Corey, also described his brother as a fun-loving person.

"He loved serving his country," Corey Farley said. "He was a go-getter who had talked about joining the military ever since he was 16."

Corey Farley said he often talked with his brother about his missions overseas, and was told there were good and bad times.

"But he re-enlisted because he loved what he was doing," Corey said.

Brandon Farley was the oldest of four children.

In addition to his father and brother, he is survived by his mother, Sherry Farley, and two sisters, Ashlyn Farley and Lauren Farley, all of Dallas.

Corey Farley said arrangements are pending, but services, with full military honors, will be conducted at the Haworth Assembly of God, followed by burial at the Tom Cemetery.

Arrangements will be handled by Conley White Funeral Home in Idabel.

Corey Farley encouraged the public to attend his brother's funeral.

Guard crash victims officially identified

Three Oklahomans killed in Thursday’s Chinook helicopter crash in Iraq were identified Monday in a Department of Defense news release as Sgt. Daniel M. Eshbaugh, 43, of Norman; Chief Warrant Officer Brady J. Rudolf, 37, of Oklahoma City; and Cpl. Michael E. Thompson, 23, of Harrah.

All were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Oklahoma National Guard at Lexington.

Members of the Texas Army National Guard who also were killed were identified as Sta8 Sgt. Anthony L. Mason, 37, of Springtown; 1st Sgt. Julio C. Ordonez, 54, of San Antonio; Capt.

Robert Vallejo II, 28, of Richland Hills; and Chief Warrant Officer Corry A. Edwards, 38, of Kennedale.

Edwards is a former Oklahoman who reportedly grew up in Tahlequah.

All of the Texas soldiers were attached to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Texas Army National Guard at Grand Prairie.

Although the helicopter crash is still under investigation, officials believe the accident occurred as a result of mechanical problems — and not from hostile action.

The helicopter was flying from Kuwait to Balad Air Base north of Baghdad.

Manny Gamallo 581-8386
manny.gamallo@tulsaworld.com By MANNY GAMALLO World Staff Writer

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Reader Comments

Show: Most Recent Comment First

Add your comment

12 comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment Tony G, Tulsa (9/23/2008 5:32:57 AM) I am so sorry for the family of this man. Why are we STILL in Afganistan? Osama hasn't been found in 5 years.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (9/23/2008 6:06:42 AM) Tony G, as long as we're there he not. If we leave and he hasn't been caught he'll go back and bring the Talibon with him, to reocupty the country.
	Report Comment KJNOKIE, TULSA (9/23/2008 6:32:08 AM) No one could look at that picture and not be heart sick at what is happening to our young men and women.
	Report Comment k-ba, (9/23/2008 9:16:56 AM) I'm not giving a political opinion, my heart just goes out to his family and all of the soldiers' families. I hate hearing this.
	Report Comment chase, (9/23/2008 9:46:55 AM) I feel that the flag be flown at half staft when each oklahoman is killed.
	Report Comment plain guy, (9/23/2008 10:29:02 AM) All these good men gone! What could they all have become if they had been able to pursue a full life? Heroes, every one of them! Rest in peace, men.
	Report Comment cuinheaven, (9/23/2008 1:17:47 PM) Plain guy he was pursuing what he loved... Miliatary was in his blood... his dad said it and so did his brother. He was fighting for you, for me and for others. Just say thanks and say a prayer for his momma. A Mairne Mom SemperFi
	Report Comment hamguy, odessa tx (9/23/2008 1:43:02 PM) SemperFi !!! God speed my friend .....my condolences to the family as well as those who lost thier life for this country .....may God bless each brave men and women in the servcies.....mjb
	Report Comment plain guy, (9/23/2008 9:59:39 PM) cuinheaven-I was a Marine grunt for seven years, then worked in mil-intel for 5 years and was in the mideast for a time in the mid-eighties. Yes, I loved it too and I know of what I speak, I've lost fellow Marines, too -Thank you! Semper-fi, Hamguy!
	Report Comment plain guy, (9/23/2008 11:04:24 PM) cuinheaven, learn to spell first. Second, I am a Marine veteran of 12 years; seven as an '03 grunt, five in mil-intel. I also served in the mideast in the mid-eighties. I know of what I speak. I have also lost more than a few fellow Marines. I know all about sacrifice and loss. I loved the military and the Corps, and still do. I feel I've earned the right to speak my opinion, don't you think? Thank you very much! Semper-fi, Hamguy!.
	Report Comment Billie08, (9/24/2008 12:42:45 PM) I am so sorry for the families who lost a loved one that is in the service. I thank you for having such a brave man to help fight for our country. You will miss him very much, but hold your heads up high and be proud of him. You are in my prayers.
	Report Comment Sky Dragon 9, Fort Bragg (10/1/2008 5:30:44 PM) I served with SSG Farley in Iraq, he was a good NCO who did his job and took good care of his soldiers. He was always ready for any mission as well as his men. His memory will live long in all the hearts of the people who knew him. My prayers go out to the family. You'll be deeply missed. Airborne

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.