Triple Deuce

Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Nicholas, Army Sgt. 1st Class Gary Vasquez, and Army Capt. Richard Cliff, Jr., assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died Sept. 29, 2008, in Yakhchal, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during mounted operations.

Nicholas, 32, from Clay County, West Virginia, was the second of six children. He joined the Army right after his high school graduation in 1994, following in his father’s footsteps. Nicholas is survived by his wife, Michelle; stepson, Brandon Troup; stepdaughter, Sharise Troup; parents Burke and Karen; and five siblings.

Vasquez, 33, of Round Lake, Illinois, was on his third tour in Afghanistan at the time of his death. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in drama from Illinois State University in 1996 and enjoyed reading and spending time with his two dogs. Vasquez is survived by his wife, Sarah; mother, Martha DuHesk; and brother, Barry DuHesk.

Cliff, Jr., 29, of Sanford, North Carolina, was an avid surfer and enjoyed spending days on his boat wakeboarding with friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Sarah; son Richard; parents, Rich and Julie; and brother, Eddie.