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AATC 2026 Wall of Honor

Please take a moment to read our Gold Star Family’s loved ones and Distinguished Veterans stories below. We want to share these stories to remind you of the sacrifices made to not only support their families but the freedoms for all.

SSG Robert F. White
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My husband was a wonderful father to our son. He was a Boy Scout Master, a youth basketball coach and a mentor to some children at our church. He loved being a soldier and wouldn't wanted to have died any other way. His biggest accomplishment (in his eyes) was his Ranger Tab). He got a tattoo of the Tab on the same are that he wore it on his uniform on. He said that he wanted to wear that Tab whether he had the uniform on or not. He had the most beautiful eyes and always had a smile on his face. I had no idea how many lives he touch until he was gone. Even after almost 21 years now, people still come to me and tell me how much he meant to them.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!

SSG Bob White (as he was known by all who knew and lived him) was born in and grew up in WV. He graduated from Nitro High School.

He was assigned to 4/325 AIR 82nd ABN at Ft Bragg in 1990. Then following reenlistment he served with the 25th Infintry Division located in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He returned to the 82nd ABN, where he was assigned to the 2/505 PIR. He went on to hold the position of Division Safety NCO. SSG White was later assigned to Camp Greaves, Republic of Korea 1/506. His last assignment was 1/325 AIR 82nd ABN where he held the position of Weapons Squad Leasder.

He deployed with 1/325 AIR in support of Task Force Gun Devil to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan where he eventually succumbed to his injuries due to an RPG that pierced the Humvee he was a passenger in.

SSG White's awards include, the Bronze Medal (posthumous), the Purple Heart Medal (posthumous), the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, The Korean Defense Service Medal, The Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, , the NATO Medal, and the Multi-National Forces and Observers Medal. In addition he earned the Army Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry's Badge (posthumous), the Expert Infantry Badge, the Parachutists Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He also completed the Primary Leadership Development Course and the Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course.


Darren John Mikos
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On 5 FEB 19 the Airborne Community lost an amazing NCO, medical PSG, friend, mentor, sh!+ talker, jokester, .....I could go on forever but the one thing that Darren Mikos was and made sure everyone knew was he was a Jumpmaster.

After he completed JM school he was diagnosed with Cancer. Some would have given up on accomplishing their dreams, but not Darren. After extensive cancer treatments he beat it. He was frail from the treatment but worked to regain his strength all so he could jump from an aircraft one more time and earn his senior wings.

Darren did it, although when he hit the ground he shattered his hip, as he laid on the stretcher, on the drop zone, his senior wings were pinned on his chest.

Airborne was his DNA. Unfortunately after the jump his cancer returned. I know he is in a better place and I can only imagine the good lord with his hand over his face telling Darren, “ you can’t say that.” I was never worried during my career for getting fired for something I said, I always thought it would be from something he said.

He truly cared about his Paratroopers and those he worked with and if you were messing up he was going to tell you without a filter. That’s just who he was. The units he served with were better because of his leadership.

It was an honor to have him in the Squadron and to be able to call him a friend. Rest In Peace Brother. #ATWJUMPMASTER

This was the best thing one of his soldiers wrote the day after he died. When it was posted it had 2.6k likes. 221 comments and 568 shares. It made me realize the impact he had on many peoples lives/careers. He was always funny and always ready to help out a friend.


John R. Priestner
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CW4 John Priestner and his copilot CW2 Miles Henderson were killed in Iraq on November 6th 2006. When their Apache helicopter crashed. Both men were well loved by their families and their battalion. We keep their memory alive by sharing memories and stories.
John Priestner lived by his wife Teresa Priestner and his two daughters Breanne and Megan. He loved living his life to the fullest and accomplished most of his life’s dreams before his deployment to Iraq.


SFC Dominic Perry
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Dominic was my 2nd son. He enjoyed being in the military and was a member of the U.S. Army parachute team "The Golden Knights". He couldn't wait to get from one show to the next and trained hard to be the best he could be. He was very competitive and was a great teammate. Sadly, he succumbed to injuries sustained in a skydive competition on June 12th 2024 in Tennessee.


Miles P. Henderson
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CW2 Miles Henderson and his copilot CW4 John Priestner were killed in Iraq on November 6th 2006. When their Apache helicopter crashed. Both men were well loved by their families and their battalion. We keep their memory alive by sharing memories and stories.
Miles lived by his wife Artis Henderson and his family (Brad, Terry, and Deadre Henderson). Miles had a great personality and lived with his heart wide open.


Staff SSG Matthew Joskowitz
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Staff Sergeant Matthew “Josko” Joskowitz (1995–2019) was a dedicated leader in the 82nd Airborne. A Fairview NJ native, Matthew was a historic athlete at Cliffside Park High School, becoming their first wrestler to achieve 100 career victories—a competitive drive he carried into the Army as a two-time division Combatives tournament winner. Promoted to Staff Sergeant at just 24, he was highly decorated with honors including the Combat Infantry Badge and NATO Medal. Though his life was cut short in 2019, his legacy of integrity lives on through a wrestling tournament and scholarship named in his honor.


SSG Jaime E. Contreras Jr
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Staff Sergeant Jaime Contreras proudly served in the United States Army with strength, dedication, and unwavering commitment. Beyond his service, he was a father whose love continues to shape the lives of his children every day. His legacy lives on through them—in their strength, resilience, and character. He is deeply missed and forever honored.


SGT Jack E Stillman
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United States Army Sergeant Jack Edward Stillman was a dedicated soldier who tragically passed away on January 20, 2018 due to service connected cancer.
In January 2014, Stillman joined the Army. His decision to join the military came from a deep love for his family. As a young father, he wanted to provide stability and saw military service as both a duty and a way to build a strong foundation for his wife and children. Stillman’s sense of responsibility was matched by an unwavering commitment to those he loved. Shortly after enlisting, Stillman recognized his aspiration to pursue a long-term military career, aiming to serve for over two decades before retirement.
Stillman distinguished himself as an exceptional soldier, consistently demonstrating unwavering dedication. In September 2016, mere weeks prior to his cancer diagnosis, he achieved a significant milestone in military history, becoming the first soldier to earn all three awards, Iron Warrior Award, the Leadership Award and recognized as the Distinguished Honor Graduate, while completing the NCO Academy with a remarkable GPA of 99.33. It was during this rigorous course that Stillman discovered a lump. Despite experiencing discomfort, he persevered, completing the academy without realizing the internal battle his body was simultaneously enduring. Weeks later, the diagnosis of stage four cancer would unveil the silent struggle he was unknowingly waging while excelling in his military responsibilities.
Introduced through mutual friends, Stillman met his future wife, Alina, when they first connected online their sophomore year of high school. What began as virtual conversations soon blossomed into a strong and supportive partnership. Together, they built a life grounded in love and shared purpose. And now that legacy will continue to live on and through his two sons.
Fort Bragg honored Sgt. Stillman's extraordinary courage and resilience by dedicating the Noncommissioned Officer Academy Physical Training Field to him after making military history in 2016.
United States Army Sergeant Jack Edward Stillman is survived by his wife, Alina, and his two sons, Aiden Jack and Jackson Jayce.


SSG Jaime E. Contreras Jr

Staff Sergeant Jaime Contreras proudly served in the United States Army with strength, dedication, and unwavering commitment. Beyond his service, he was a father whose love continues to shape the lives of his children every day. His legacy lives on through them—in their strength, resilience, and character. He is deeply missed and forever honored.


Delbert Joo
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Delbert was an amazing man. A man of strength, a man that honored and served his country, a reliable friend to many, a husband to myself, and the best father to our daughters. We lost Delbert by death to suicide in 2021, but he will never be forgotten.


Warrant Officer-1 Shawn Thomas
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Warrant Officer 1 Shawn Thomas was a man of extraordinary courage, quiet strength, and unwavering dedication. As a proud Green Beret, he served with distinction among the most elite, embodying honor, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to protecting others. His service reflected not only his skill and discipline, but also his character—steady, selfless, and deeply respected by those who served alongside him.

Beyond his military accomplishments, Shawn was a devoted and loving family man. He brought warmth, strength, and compassion into the lives of those closest to him, always placing his family at the center of his world. He was a source of support, guidance, and unconditional love.

Shawn also had a deep appreciation for the things that brought him peace and expression outside of service. He enjoyed shooting, reflecting his focus and discipline, and had a passion for tattoos—each one telling a story of his experiences, values, and the life he lived with purpose.

Shawn died on active duty on February 2, 2017, in Niger, Africa, as the result of a vehicle accident while serving his country. His passing is a solemn reminder of the risks carried by those who serve, both in and beyond combat.

His legacy is one of service, courage, and enduring love. Though he is no longer here, his spirit continues to live on through the family he cherished and the many lives he inspired.

He is survived by his wife, Tara, and four children: Gavin, Cheyenne, Taylor, and Natylyn.


MSG Gregory Trent
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MSG Gregory Trent served with honor as a member of 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), embodying quiet professionalism, courage, and an unwavering commitment to his team and mission. He died from wounds sustained during a dismounted patrol in Afghanistan on August 8, 2012, giving his life in service to his country. Trent is remembered not only as a Green Beret, but as a devoted husband, father, and a steady, enduring presence whose legacy continues to carry forward in the lives he touched.


Terriquis Mckay
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Terriquis McKay was more than a son—he was a light in our lives, a source of strength, and a man of honor who served with courage and pride. His commitment, his character, and his love for those around him will never be forgotten.
He carried himself with dignity, always willing to stand for something bigger than himself, and that legacy will live on in all who knew and loved him. Though his time with us was far too short, the impact he made will last forever.
We will always carry his memory in our hearts, honoring his life, his service, and the love he gave so freely.
Rest easy, Terriquis—you are forever loved, forever missed, and never forgotten. May 18 1993- February 12 2026


Michael A. McGehee
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SFC Michael Alex McGehee
July 16, 1982 – June 30, 2025

Born on July 16, 1982, Mike dedicated his life to service, family, and honor.
Mike enlisted in the United States Army in March of 2007 and quickly distinguished himself through his commitment, leadership, and strength of character. Over the course of his military career, he served with distinction in multiple deployments and was stationed in locations around the world, including Schofield Barracks, HI; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Bragg, NC; and Yongsan, Korea.
In 2007, he earned his Airborne wings, and in 2013, he graduated from the prestigious U.S. Army Ranger School—an achievement that marked his unyielding dedication to excellence and his fellow soldiers. Mike was deeply passionate about his military career and carried out his duties with pride, courage, and an unwavering sense of purpose.
Mike is lovingly remembered by his mother, Vivian Kirk; his father, Jerry McGehee; his stepmother, Gilda McGehee; his stepbrother and wife Pier and Natasha Gardella; his stepsister Fiorella Scalia; his daughter Whitney McGehee; his spouse, Brooke Taylor; his stepson, Christian Taylor, and many beloved friends. He was a devoted soldier, a beloved husband, a proud father, and a cherished son.


Darren John Mikos
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