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U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Iraq.
EDITOR'S NOTE: These tributes, published in alphabetical order, were supplied by The Associated Press.
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Army Staff Sgt. Shawn McNabb
Shawn McNabb had rhythm and talent, and both served him well during his years as an athlete and musician in high school outside Dallas, where he played in the school band and made the All State Band.
But his parents say what they'll remember is his helping to save two men's lives during his service in Afghanistan.
"That is his legacy to us," his mother, Ann McNabb, said. "We are so proud."
McNabb, 24, of Terrell, Texas, was killed Oct. 26 when the helicopter he was on crashed in Darreh-ye Bum. He joined the Army after graduating in 2003 and was assigned to Hunter Army Airfield. He also served in Korea and Iraq.
McNabb had a passion for medicine and planned to become a physician's assistant.
Army Sgt. 1st Class David Metzger
A photo in David Metzger's grandmother's house shows the Green Beret smiling at his 1995 high school graduation in Southern California.
Dolores Wallen said Metz ger grew up in her home, and photos of her grandson are placed throughout her two-story house in Imperial Beach, south of San Diego. In one photo, Metzger, a father of two, is holding a toddler. In another, he's wearing his uniform decorated with ribbons.
Metzger, 32, died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter he was aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum. He was assigned to Fort Bragg and enlisted in the Army after high school.
Army Pfc. Devin Michel
Devin Michel enlisted in the Army last year after graduating from high school in Stockton, Ill. He was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado.
Terry Michel said his son could be difficult but always loved to have fun.
"He was free-spirited, and if he wanted a goal he aimed for it," he said.
The 19-year-old died Oct. 24 in Zhari province when enemy forces attacked his unit with an explosive device.
Weeks earlier, he had managed a surprise for his wife, Anika, on their first wedding anniversary.
"I don't know how he did it because they were in the process of moving between bases, but I did get a half-dozen roses," she said.
Marine Capt. David Mitchell
The word "can't" just wasn't in David "Seth" Mitchell's vocabulary, said high school teacher Julie Powers - especially when it came to flying.
In fourth grade, he couldn't wait to turn 11 so he could take flying lessons. After four years in the Marines, his vision was still too poor to qualify as a pilot. So he had corrective eye surgery. Worried that his aviation application might get lost in the mail, he drove to the Pentagon and delivered it in person.
"His dream goal was to be a pilot, and I knew that from when he walked into the building as a ninth-grader, that was more than a dream for him; it was a complete focus," Powers said.
Mitchell, 30, of Loveland, Ohio, was killed Oct. 26 in Helmand province in a helicopter collision. He was assigned to Camp Pendleton, Calif., and had earned a degree in English from Virginia Tech in 2001.
Mitchell was two months into his third deployment, having twice served in Iraq. His father, Steve Mitchell, said the Marine volunteered to go to Afghanistan early "because he thought he was needed."
Army Chief Warrant Officer Michael Montgomery
Michael Montgomery served with the Night Stalkers, a special operations aviation unit known for flying speedy, dangerous missions at night.
"He was an amazing troop and an even better pilot," Andy Knudson, who said he's known Montgomery since he finished flight school in 1992, wrote in an online message board.
"The honor of flying in the Night Stalkers is reserved for the Army's best pilots. There can be no question that this nation has lost one of its finest."
Montgomery, 36, of Savannah, Ga., was killed Oct. 26 when the MH-47 helicopter he was aboard crashed in Darreh-ye-Bum. He was assigned to Hunter Army Airfield.
The soldier was on his seventh deployment, having been to Iraq twice and Afghanistan four other times.
Army Sgt. Nickolas Mueller
Nickolas Mueller had long loved flying. It was clear from the moment he chose a fighter jet border for his childhood room.
He intended to make a career of it. More immediately, was looking forward to spending a Christmas at home in Little Chute, Wis., for the first time since enlisting at 21.
Mueller, a helicopter crew chief, was killed Oct. 26 in a helicopter crash in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Hunter Army Airfield.
His mother said the 26-year-old was a character who used to get into debates with his teachers in high school, where he kept a full list of activities: football, wrestling, track, playing saxophone in the band, choir, participating in musicals and being chosen homecoming king one year.
Army Pfc. Alan Newton
Alan Newton never complained about taking cortisone shots and having fluid drained from his knee in the field after a serious injury, his fellow soldiers said.
In fact, Newton fought to remain on the roster for deployment after the injury, said 1st Sgt. Kent Chicosky.
Newton, 26, of Asheboro, died Oct. 2 in a suicide bombing attack in Murcheh. He was based in Greensboro.
When he wasn't spending time with his daughter, Riley, he liked to riding motorcycles and four-wheelers, according to an obituary posted online.
He also enjoyed "mud bogging" - a type of off-road racing. His family said he was a dog lover who also liked to play video games.
Mike Walsh said Newton was engaged to his daughter, Shannon, who had several photos of her and Newton posted on her MySpace page. Mike Walsh said Newton was planning to surprise family and friends with a trip home for Thanksgiving. They weren't expecting him until Christmas.
Marine Lance Cpl. Alfonso Ochoa
When he played soccer, Alfonso Ochoa could motivate his team "no matter what," said fellow player Steven Levario.
Soon after Ochoa graduated high school, Principal Bobby Peters began telling students about the Marine, who had goals, worked hard and made no excuses.
"His is one of those stories that I tell other kids when they may be facing some adversity in their life," Peters said.
Ochoa, 20, of Armona, Calif., enlisted shortly after his 18th birthday. So that he could graduate early, Ochoa transferred from Hanford West High to Hanford Adult School. He entered the Marine Corps in January 2008.
He was killed Oct. 10 in Farah province while supporting combat operations. He was based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
"I played soccer with Alfonso in high school great goalie, even better person always had our team pumped an going no matter what he was great," Levario wrote in a comment on the Los Angeles Times Web site.
Army Pfc. Brandon Owens
Brandon Owens was a precocious boy who could hold a conversation with adults when he was as young as 4. And he was always proper, his family said.
"One time, he got in an argument with a young man across the street because he was cursing in front of me," said Owens' grandmother, Marion Jackson. "He didn't want anyone cursing in front of me."
Owens, 21, of Memphis, Tenn., died Oct. 2 in Wardak province when insurgents attacked his unit. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.
Despite his confident, outgoing nature, Owens was frightened in Afghanistan. His mother, Lynda Owens, said he would call and sometimes cry because he couldn't sleep at night. But he joined the military with the hope it would lead to a better life.
"He wanted things in this world that you couldn't get working at McDonald's," said his brother, Eric.
Owens hoped to marry his fiancee, April Walton, when he got home in April. The pair met three years ago when Walton noticed him while he played basketball. But she was too timid to talk to him - she sent her little sister over to get his phone number. It worked.
"I can't lie. I thought he was the handsomest guy in the gym," Walton said. "That's what caught my eye."
