DOB/DOD:August 23, 1979 (Stamford, CT) – August 6, 2011; 31 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Newfield Avenue; Stamford
ENLISTMENT: May 9, 2001
NAVY ENLISTED CLASSIFICATION: SO-5326; Special Warfare Operator
UNIT: SEAL Team 6; Naval Air Station Oceana; Virginia Beach, Virginia
FAMILY: Born to Edgar Scott Bill (1949-) and Patricia A. Davis Parry (1950-). Stepfather, Dr. Michael F. Parry (1945-). One sister, Amy Bill Kutney (1977-). One brother, Christian B. (1974-2019). Stepsisters, Andrea Parry Sholes (1971-) and Kerry Welch Labadia (1985-). Half-sister, Tessa (1988-). Half-brother, Morgan J. (1991-). Morgan served as a Special Warfare Combat Crewman.
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat ‘V’ device for valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal with combat ‘V’ device for valor, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary), Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Expert Medal, and Pistol Expert Medal.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Taliban insurgents shot down a Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, in Eastern Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, killing 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghanis, including 22 members of Naval Special Warfare. The 30 American deaths represent the greatest loss of U.S. military lives in a single incident in the war in Afghanistan that began in 2001. With the exception of the eight Afghanis (information not available), the others killed in the same attack:
Navy Lieutenant Commander (SEAL) Jona B. Kelsall; Shreveport, Louisiana
Navy Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais; Santa Barbara, California
Navy Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff; Green Forest, Arkansas
Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Senior Chief Kraig M.K. Vickers; Kokomo, Hawaii
Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas; Minneapolis, Minnesota
Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston; West Hyannisport, Massachusetts
Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason; Kansas City, Missouri
Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills; Fort Worth, Texas
Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Petty Officer Nicholas H. Null; Washington, West Virginia
Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, Shreveport, Louisiana
Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson; Detroit, Michigan
Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson; Angwin, California
Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Christopher G. Campbell; Jacksonville, NC
Navy Information Systems Technician Petty Officer First Class Jared W. Day; Taylorsville, Utah
Navy Master at Arms Petty Officer First Class John Douangdara; South Sioux City, Nebraska
Navy Cryptologic Technician Collection First Class Michael J. Strange; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) John T. Tumlison; Rockford, Iowa
Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn; Stuart, Florida
Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman; Ukiah, California
Navy Special Warfare Operator Second Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar; Saint Paul, Minnesota
Army Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter; Centennial, Colorado
Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols; Hays, Kansas
Army Sergeant Patrick D. Hamburger; Lincoln, Nebraska
Army Sergeant Alexander J. Bennett; Tacoma, Washington
Army Specialist Spencer C. Duncan; Olathe, Kansas
Air Force Pararescueman Technical Sergeant Daniel L. Zerbe; Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Air Force Pararescueman Technical Sergeant John W. Brown; Tallahassee, Florida
Air Force Combat Controller Staff Sergeant Andrew W. Harvell; Long Beach, California
and Military Dog Bart (ST6 K-9)
OTHER: Brian was a skilled fly-fisherman, golfer, skier, and skydiver. He was an accomplished mountaineer with successful summits of Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia. He had completed several marathons and obtained his commercial pilot’s license. He played the piano and guitar. He became fluent in French and independently studied Russian. Brian’s long-term goal was to become a NASA astronaut.
Trinity Catholic High School (Stamford, CT); Class of 1997
Norwich (Vermont) University; Class of 2001
Medal citations contributed by Brian Bill’s mother, Patricia Parry
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL
TO
SPECIAL WARFARE OPERATOR FIRST CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND)
BRIAN R. BILL
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as Mobility Cell Leader and Primary Navigator to an Iraqi Police Commando Unit while assigned to Naval Special Warfare Squadron EIGHT, Task Unit-BAGHDAD, in direct support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 16 April to 15 October 2006. Petty Officer Bill served as external security troop advisor for a high-risk raid targeting a cell leader of a highly dangerous terrorist organization. As the assault force approached the target area, they immediately came under effective small arms fire from the rooftops adjacent to the target building. Disregarding the enemy fire impacting around his position, he immediately engaged the enemy position with suppressive fire and covered the assault force’s approach to the target building. While the enemy occupied an elevated and superior tactical position, he rushed through an exposed area and closed with the enemy. Directly exposing himself to enemy fire, he threw a grenade onto the rooftop, instantly neutralizing the enemy. With disregard for his personal safety, he ensured the security of the assault force. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer Bill reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
J.D. Kernan
Rear Admiral, United States Navy
Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of Second Award)
TO
SPECIAL WARFARE OPERATOR FIRST CLASS (SEA, AIR, AND LAND)
BRIAN R. BILL
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as an Assistant Team Leader for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 23 October 2008 to 10 February 2009. During this period, Petty Officer First Class Bill’s team executed daytime helicopter vehicle interdiction operations and complex, high-risk direct action missions that resulted in the elimination of numerous enemy insurgents throughout the area of responsibility. On 13 November 2008, Petty Officer First Class Bill was a sniper on a helicopter-borne vehicle interdiction operation when, during the initial interdiction, multiple armed enemy fighters began to maneuver from their vehicles to fighting positions. He quickly took control of the situation and directed his helicopter into a position that allowed him to precisely engage enemy combatants. His quick, decisive action in the face of danger ensured the safety of both the assault force and helicopters and resulted in the elimination of enemy fighters. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer First Class Bill reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
W.H. MCRAVEN
Vice Admiral, United States Navy
Commander, Joint Task Force
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of Third Award)
TO
SPECIAL WARFARE OPERATOR FIRST CLASS (SEA, AIR, AND LAND)
BRIAN R. BILL
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as an Assault Team Member for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 17 March 2010. On this date, Petty Officer First Class Bill was part of a ground force element during a daring nighttime raid against a heavily armed enemy commander. While attempting to engage a barricaded fighter hidden inside the target building, one of his teammates was struck and mortally wounded by enemy fire, causing him to fall directly in front of the barricaded enemy’s position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Petty Officer First Class Bill fought his way into the compound, exchanging fire with the enemy fighter while maneuvering to his wounded teammate. Within point-blank range of the barricaded enemy, Petty Officer First Class Bill pulled his comrade from the precarious position where he had fallen as enemy rounds impacted the rock wall around him. He then courageously exposed himself to the enemy fire again as he pulled his wounded teammate across the open courtyard to a position behind cover. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer First Class Bill reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
W.H. MCRAVEN
Vice Admiral, United States Navy
Commander, Joint Task Force
The previous medal was accompanied by this letter dated June 1, 2011, from the Secretary of the Navy.
MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
SUBJECT: Determination of Extraordinary Heroism
In a review of attachment (1) in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 6330 and SECNAVINST 1650.1H, upon transfer to the Fleet Reserve, Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, USN, XXX-XX-2858, will be accorded the benefits of Extraordinary Heroism for his actions on 17 March 2010, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (with combat “V”).
Ray Mabus
Secretary of the Navy
WEBMASTER NOTE: from the regulation stated in the previous letter, “… the act performed must render the individual conspicuous and well above the standard expected.” Also, “In making a favorable Extraordinary Heroism recommendation, the awarding authority must compare the heroic act(s) with other acts of heroism and believe it stands out well above other acts of heroism. The individual must have distinguished himself/herself beyond those who have already earned distinction for heroism.”
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of Fourth Award)
TO
CHIEF SPECIAL WARFARE OPERATOR (SEA, AIR, AND LAND)
BRIAN R. BILL
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as an Assault Team Member for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 28 June 2011 to 6 August 2011. During this period, Chief Petty Officer Bill executed multiple operations and was a part of a Task Force credited with the elimination and detention of numerous enemy combatants, including several high-value targets. On 6 August 2011, he served as an Assault Team Member for a Special Operations element responding to enemy forces escaping from a nearby raid in an enemy contested valley of eastern Afghanistan. Chief Petty Officer Bill, knowing the valley served as an enemy safe haven with no ‘sustained coalition force presence and knowing that his mission was to interdict and ambush an armed enemy force, volunteered to pursue an enemy known to have attacked and killed coalition forces with plans for future attacks. He selflessly chose to interdict the fleeing enemy when he boarded the helicopter with his teammates. The aggressive mission to prevent future attacks on coalition forces ended in tragedy when the helicopter on which he was riding was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, causing the helicopter to crash. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Chief Petty Officer Bill reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
CPO Bill also received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. The citation was contributed by Brian Bill’s mother, Patricia Parry.
CITATION
TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE DEFENSE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
TO
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER BRIAN R. BILL
UNITED STATES NAVY
Chief Petty Officer Brian R. Bill, United States Navy, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service as a Team Member from 12 July 2007 to 6 August 2011. During this period, Chief Petty Officer Bill’s aggressive leadership, extraordinary professionalism, and sustained superior performance had a direct strategic impact and directly contributed to his command’s overall success. A combat-seasoned veteran in all aspects of Naval Special Warfare tactics, techniques, and procedures, he was instrumental in preparing his team and his troop for numerous high-risk military parachute-training jumps and full mission profile exercises. Chief Petty Officer Bill’s unparalleled work ethic, coupled with his profound devotion to excellence, directly contributed to his command and the Naval Special Warfare community’s capabilities. In the dedication of his service to his country and through his distinctive accomplishments, Chief Petty Officer Bill reflected great credit upon himself, the Joint Special Operations Command, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.
From The Stamford Advocate online edition, August 9, 2011
TRINITY CATHOLIC GRADUATE BRIAN BILL KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
STAMFORD – Brian Bill, a Stamford native who played hockey and soccer at Trinity Catholic in the late 1990s, was killed on the weekend when the U.S. helicopter in which he was flying was shot down near Kabul, Afghanistan.
Bill, 31, a Navy SEAL, graduated from Trinity in 1997 and was an athlete and an Eagle Scout.
Bill’s mother and stepfather, Patricia and Michael Parry, and his father, Scott Bill, issued a written statement thanking the SEALs and members of the Stamford community for their support.
“We are heartbroken in our loss,” they said. “Brian was a remarkably gifted, thoughtful, and compassionate young man. We are incredibly proud of him. He was a treasured son, grandson, brother, uncle, and cousin. He loved life. He loved a challenge, and he was passionate about being a SEAL.”
Thirty Americans and eight Afghans were killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck their helicopter, causing the deadliest single loss of U.S. forces in the decade-long war in Afghanistan.
On Monday afternoon, Governor Dannel P. Malloy released this statement: “While I cannot independently confirm the death of U.S. Navy SEAL Brian Bill from my hometown of Stamford, I understand that his family has been notified and released their own statement about him. My wife, Cathy, and I extend our condolences to his family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them at this difficult time.”
Brian Bill was interested in attending graduate school and becoming an astronaut upon completing his military service, his family said. “Already an accomplished mountaineer, skier, pilot, and triathlete, he wanted to complete the seven summits,” they said. “He wanted to return to graduate school. He wanted to become an astronaut. He was the best, and we will miss him.” Trinity Catholic boys’ soccer coach Bob Pepi said it was apparent early on that Bill was well-suited for public service. “The thing I remember most about him is that he was a serious kid who had a maturity about him,” Pepi said. “His mind was preparing him for something else. He was a little bit reserved and a little bit different, but not in a bad way. It doesn’t surprise me that he chose the path that he did.”
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, said he knew Bill and his family. “Brian Bill was an extraordinary patriot with tremendous courage and dedication to his family. He will be missed by all of Connecticut,” Blumenthal said. “He exemplified what we value most in our military servicemen and women.”
Patrick Sasser, a Stamford firefighter who attained Eagle Scout rank with Bill in Troop 11, said he found out about Bill’s death Sunday night when he got a phone call from a friend in the Air Force in Arizona. “Brian was just a great guy,” Sasser said. “He loved the outdoors and camping. He was a great all-around guy. In high school, he wanted to be in the military. Especially, he wanted to be a SEAL.”
Bill, who was going to be celebrating his 32nd birthday on August 23, was a 2001 graduate of Norwich University in Vermont and a graduate of Coronado Naval Amphibious Base in San Diego and the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach, Va. Both bases are Navy SEAL training centers.
His scoutmaster at the time Bill became an Eagle Scout was choked up as he talked about the SEAL. “Brian was a special young man. When we went backpacking, he could carry more weight further and faster than any other Scout I have worked with,” said David Welton, Troop 11 assistant scoutmaster.
Welton said Bill talked to him about becoming a SEAL, and he was eager to take on the challenge as he was leaving high school. “There was something very special about Brian, and you knew that. He was not like the other kids, playing video games and talking about girls. Brian was all about being ambitious. He played hard and was serious about life,” Welton said.
During middle and high school, Bill worked at the Springdale Florist, something owner Mike Doyle remembers vividly. “It is a shock to all of us,” Doyle said. “Brian had a maturity about him when he was here and an ability that a lot of young people his age didn’t have. He had the ability to get the job done and take on responsibility. He was a loving, happy-go-lucky young man. His parents did a marvelous job raising him,” Doyle said.
Trinity Catholic athletic director Tracy Nichols said Bill was “a wonderful kid.” “What might have surprised me most is he was so nice you wouldn’t think he would be the kind of kid to be doing SEALs,” Nichols said. “He spent a lot of time in the weight room. He was lifting all the time. He had a tremendous work ethic.”
Trinity Catholic Assistant Principal for Student Affairs Diane Warzoha said she remembered Bill from a Spanish class she taught and attended his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Warzoha said Bill was always very goal-oriented and went along in his quiet way to achieve them. “Brian always wanted to make a difference for other people, and we saw that at school. He was so devoted to the people he cared about — his family, classmates, and country,” she said. “It doesn’t surprise any of us that Brian went on to become one of the best. We are so very proud of him and honored to have him as part of the family here at Trinity Catholic.”
From The Tampa Tribune August 12, 2011
BILL, Chief Petty Officer Brian Robert, 31, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was killed in action on Aug. 6, 2011, in Wardak Province, eastern Afghanistan. Born August 23, 1979, in Stamford, CT, he was the son of Dr. Michael and Patricia Parry of Stamford, Connecticut, and Scott Bill of Sarasota, Florida. Chief Special Warfare Operator Bill was an Eagle Scout who graduated from Trinity Catholic High School, Stamford, and Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. In June 2001, he enlisted in the United States Navy to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. After Basic Training in Great Lakes, IL, he attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California. In 2003, he was designated as a SEAL and assigned to an East Coast SEAL Team based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During his career, he was decorated with the following personal awards: three Bronze Stars with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, and three Good Conduct Medals. Brian was a skilled fly-fisherman, skier, and skydiver. He was an accomplished mountaineer with successful summits of Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia. He had completed several marathons and obtained his commercial pilot’s license. He independently studied Russian and became fluent in French. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandmother, Betty Hardiman, brother Christian Bill; sister Amy Kutney; her husband Chad and daughter Ryder; sister Andrea Sholes, her husband Christopher and daughter Kyra; sister Kerry Welch; sister Tessa Bill; brother Morgan Bill; Aunt Anne Goebel and her husband James; Aunt Sharon Davis, Uncle Thomas Davis and his wife Joanne; Aunt Maureen Corcoran; Aunt Mary Sikes and her husband John; Uncle Jeffrey Davis, 12 cousins; Jay Goebel, Kate Noell and her husband Hunter, Martha Goebel, Molly Goebel, Gregory Davis, Julia Davis, Sophia Davis, Johnny Sikes, Bennett Sikes, Kitt Sikes, Uncle Stephen & his wife Sue Parry, Great-Uncle Monsignor William Nagle, Great-Uncle Dr. and Mrs. John Nagle, their children, John, Jeffrey, Brian, Kathleen, Kerry and their families. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Cecilia Church, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT; funeral arrangements to be announced. Leo P. Gallagher & Sons Funeral Home will handle the arrangements. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Navy SEAL Foundation at navysealfoundation.org or to Norwich University in his name for a scholarship to be named later.
From The Times Argus (Barre, Vermont) August 29, 2011
By CHARLES J. LEWIS | HEARST NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON — Navy Seal Brian Bill of Stamford, Connecticut, and 12 other service members killed in the single worst U.S. combat loss of the Afghanistan war were laid to rest Friday in Arlington National Cemetery. The full-honors military burial service included a ‘Missing Man” fly-over formation by four F/A-18s, as well as a band, a firing salute, and taps played by a bugler, according to a statement by cemetery officials. Chief Petty Officer Bill, a native of Stamford, Connecticut, who would have marked his 32nd birthday earlier this week, was one of 30 U.S. Special Operations troops killed on August 6 when a rocket-propelled grenade shot down their twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a combat mission in Afghanistan. Eight Afghan commandoes were also killed. CPO Bill was a graduate of Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford and enlisted in the Navy in 2001 after graduating from Norwich University in Vermont. The U.S. victims included 17 Navy SEALS, five Naval Special Warfare personnel who support the SEALS, three Air Force Special Operations personnel, and an Army helicopter crew of five. Taliban insurgents said they had downed the helicopter. All but two of the SEALS were from SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed Osama bin Laden in a May 1 raid in Pakistan. U.S. officials said none of the victims had been on the bin Laden mission. It was the deadliest single incident for American forces in the Afghan war that began October 7, 2001, when U.S. and British forces arrived in Afghanistan to root out al-Qaida elements blamed for the 9-11 terrorist attacks less than a month earlier. CPO Bill and 12 other casualties were buried at Arlington on Friday. His was held last Friday in Stamford at the Church of St. Cecilia. Among the mourners was Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy, a Stamford resident. CPO Bill’s stepfather, Dr. Michael Parry, and mother, Patricia Parry, said in a statement after the funeral that CPO Bill had joined the Navy because of his dedication to the United States. “He loved his country, the people who lived here, and the freedoms we all have,” they said. “He was incredibly brave and determined, with a fierce sense of humor, and had amazing opportunities in life because of his strengths and talents. He was truly special, not only to our family but to our country.” Melissa Bohan, spokeswoman for Arlington National Cemetery, said cemetery officials barred news coverage of the Friday services “to respect the intimacy of this occasion and to allow our families to grieve in a private and undisturbed setting.” Funerals at Arlington, including interment of remains and inurnments of urns, average between 27-30 per day. Media coverage is generally permitted, subject to approval by surviving family members and cemetery guidelines designed to encourage respect for the occasion. Patricia O’Connor, a spokeswoman for the Naval Special Warfare Command in San Diego, said the burials on Friday “offer an opportunity for family members of the fallen and fellow service members to share intimate moments together while paying their final respects to these fallen heroes. Arlington National Cemetery, formerly the plantation of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, consists of 624 acres divided into 70 sections. Section 60 in the southeast part of the cemetery is the burial ground for military personnel killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Memorialized with the naming of a segment of Route 137 from West Broad Street north to High Ridge Road, Stamford, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
Chief Petty Officer Bill is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Virginia; Section 60, Site 9930. Several other members of Extortion 17 are buried in the same section and row. There is also a marker for the mission itself (below). Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
