Another good man has been lost

[warpedskydiver 0]

U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES
COMMAND (AIRBORNE)
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
FORT BRAGG, NC 28310 / (910) 4326005
http://www.soc.mil
As of 16 JUN 07 DE

OPPRESSO LIBER
Master Sgt. Arthur L. Lilley
Killed in action on June 15, 2007
Operation Enduring Freedom

Master Sgt. Arthur L. Lilley, 35, a Special Forces team sergeant assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft. Bragg, N.C., died June 15 of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire during combat operations in the Paktika Province, near Shkin, Afghanistan.

Lilley, a native of Smithfield, Pa., enlisted as an infantryman in 1990. His first assignment was with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where he served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then transferred to 1st Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy in September 1992, where he served for just over two years. In 1995, he volunteered to become a Special Forces Soldier.

Lilley graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1996 and was assigned 1st Bn., 7th SFG, as a Special Forces engineer sergeant. In 2000, after serving four years in 7th SFG, he was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as an engineer sergeant and then first sergeant. In August 2005, Lilley was assigned to 2nd Bn., 7th SFG and served there as an Operational Detachment – Alpha team sergeant until his death.

His military education also includes the Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Courses, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, Air Assault Course, Spanish Language Course, and the First Sergeants Course.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) , Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Special Forces Tab.

Lilley is survived by his wife, Christine, daughter, Mackenzie and son, Cole of Spring Lake, N.C.; parents Arthur and Elizabeth Lilley of Smithfield, Pa.; brother Michael Lilley and wife Katya; halfbrothers Bruce Sanford and wife Mary and James Sanford and wife Beth; halfsisters Sandra Horton and husband Rick and Jessica Barnett; grandmother Evelyn Barrett; grandparents Arthur and Edith Lilley, Ralph and Louise Barrett, and Jerry and Sondra Tate.

R.I.P. Art Lilley, you are not forgotten.

[leroydb 0]

Rest in peace brother, fly free from the bonds of earth

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Godspeed Msgt Lilley.

Lord rest the soul of a soldier easy; he will be in our prayers tonight.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[sunshine 2]

be with god brother

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[jojo69 0]

Thank you for your service - prayers for those who loved him. BSBD

[skyscallin 0]

Thank you for laying your life down in the face of danger so that we may all enjoy the freedoms that many before you earned for us, you protected, and many after you will continue to protect! Goodspeed, BSBD! *Prayers for all who knew and loved you*

"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~