2024 600 Miles of Remembrance
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
For a decade, the NASCAR community has come together to formally honor and recognize the United States Armed Forces during Military Appreciation Month through the NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola program.
As part of the 10th year of the program, military recognition will once again be front and center as each NASCAR Cup Series car and accompanying track vehicle will feature a name of a fallen service member on the windshield in 2024's 600 Miles of Remembrance. Read on to learn more about these heroes who gave their lives defending this country.
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No. 1 car: Aaron Carl Torian
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Master Sergeant
Hometown: Paducah, Kentucky
Date of birth: June 28, 1977
Date of death: Feb. 15, 2014
Age: 36
Torian enlisted in the Marine Corps as an infantryman in March 2003. Torian was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) during a dismounted patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Torian was assigned to: 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
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No. 2 car: Joshua A. Born
Military branch: United States Army, Sergeant
Hometown: Niceville, Florida
Date of birth: Dec. 4, 1986
Date of death: Feb. 23, 2012
Age: 25
Born was an avid Star Wars fan, loved all kinds of sports and was a dedicated soldier. Born was assigned to: 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps.
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No. 3 car: Jennifer M. Moreno
Military branch: United States Army, Captain
Hometown: San Diego, California
Date of birth: June 25, 1988
Date of death: Oct. 6, 2013
Age: 25
Moreno, a nurse, was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Zhari District of Afghanistan while trying to reach and render aid to wounded soldiers. Moreno was assigned to: Madigan Army Medical Center.
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No. 4 car: Jennifer Marie Parcell
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Corporal
Hometown: Bel Air, Maryland
Date of birth: June 27, 1986
Date of death: Feb. 7, 2007
Age: 20
Parcell was assigned to: Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
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No. 5 car: John Basilone
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Gunnery Sergeant
Hometown: Raritan, New Jersey
Date of birth: Nov. 4, 1916
Date of death: Feb. 19, 1945
Age: 28
Basilone joined the Marine Corps in 1940 and was deployed to Guadalcanal to partake in the island-hopping campaign in World War II. Due to his actions, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Basilone was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima and was awarded the Navy Cross. Basilone was assigned to: 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
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No. 6 car: Howard Walter Gilmore
Military branch: United States Navy, Commander
Hometown: Selma, Alabama
Date of birth: Sept. 29, 1902
Date of death: Feb. 7, 1943
Age: 40
As commanding officer of the submarine USS Growler, Gilmore was killed after ordering his crew to submerge the damaged vessel despite Gilmore being unable to reach safety in time. As a result of Gilmore's actions, the submarine was able to reach port safely.
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No. 7 car: Jeremie S. Border
Military branch: United States Army, Staff Sergeant
Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
Date of birth: March 1, 1984
Date of death: Sept. 1, 2012
Age: 28
Border was killed in action by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Border was assigned to: Company Alpha, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
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No. 8 car: Christopher Phoenix-Jacob Levy
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Lance Corporal
Hometown: Ramseur, North Carolina
Date of birth: Sept. 5, 1990
Date of death: Dec. 10, 2011
Age: 21
Levy was assigned to: 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
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No. 9 car: Clifford Harley Strickland
Military branch: United States Army, Technician Fifth Grade
Hometown: Fowler, Colorado
Date of birth: Jan. 6, 1917
Date of death: July 29, 1942
Age: 25
Strickland died as a prisoner of war (POW) while stationed in the Phillipines during World War II. Strickland was assigned to: Company C, 803rd Engineer Battalion (Aviation).
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No. 10 car: Jasper P. Sloan Jr.
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Sergeant
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas
Date of birth: June 30, 1922
Date of death: Feb. 26, 1945
Age: 22
Sloan Jr. was posthumously awarded the Silver Star while in action against Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. Sloan Jr. was assigned to: 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division.
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No. 11 car: Steven Dean Smith
Military branch: United States Army, Private First Class
Hometown: Bellville, Ohio
Date of birth: Sept. 22, 1947
Date of death: April 15, 1968
Age: 20
Smith was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Bronze Star with Valor, the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation. Smith was assigned to: Company C, 1st Battalion 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.
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No. 12 car: James G. Johnston
Military branch: United States Army, Sergeant
Hometown: Fort Cavazos, Texas
Date of birth: Sept. 16, 1994
Date of death: June 25, 2019
Age: 24
Johnston was assigned to: 704th Ordnance Company (EOD).
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No. 14 car: David Warren Smith
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Corporal
Hometown: Garden City, Michigan
Date of birth: Oct. 7, 1985
Date of death: Dec. 11, 2005
Age: 20
Smith was assigned to: Motor Transport Company, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group.
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No. 15 car: Ryan Christian Knauss
Military branch: United States Army, Staff Sergeant
Hometown: Corryton, Tennessee
Date of birth: April 7, 1998
Date of death: Aug. 26, 2021
Age: 23
Knauss died as a result of wounds sustained while supporting noncombatant evacuation operations in Kabul, Afghanistan. Knauss was assigned to: 9th Battalion, 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne).
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No. 16 car: Thomas Donald Maholic
Military branch: United States Army, Master Sergeant
Hometown: Bradford, Pennsylvania
Date of birth: Feb. 1, 1968
Date of death: June 24, 2006
Age: 38
Maholic was assigned to: 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group.
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No. 17 car: Troy L. Gilbert
Military branch: United States Air Force, Major
Hometown: San Angelo, Texas
Date of birth: Feb. 19, 1972
Date of death: Nov. 27, 2006
Age: 34
Gilbert was killed in action after his F-16 crashed during a low-altitude maneuver to protect soldiers of a downed aircraft. Gilbert was assigned to: 309th Fighter Squadron.
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No. 19 car: Harold K. Ring
Military branch: United States Army, First Lieutenant
Hometown: Leavenworth, Kansas
Date of birth: July 10, 1947
Date of death: Feb. 23, 1969
Age: 21
Ring was assigned to: 7th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
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No. 20 car: Thomas E. Kennedy
Military branch: United States Army, Major
Hometown: New City, New York
Date of birth: April 10, 1977
Date of death: Aug. 8, 2012
Age: 35
Kennedy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000. Kennedy was assigned to: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
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No. 21 car: Christopher George Campbell
Military branch: United States Navy, Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)
Hometown: Jacksonville, North Carolina
Date of birth: Sept. 16, 1974
Date of death: Aug. 6, 2011
Age: 36
Campbell was killed in action when insurgents shot down a military helicopter during fighting in Saydabad, Saydabad District, Wardak, Afghanistan. Campbell was assigned to: Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
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No. 22 car: William W. Colgan
Military branch: United States Navy, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class
Hometown: Carteret, New Jersey
Date of birth: Feb. 3, 1924
Date of death: April 4, 1944
Age: 20
Colgan was assigned to: 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force.
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No. 23 car: Wesley W. Kubie
Military branch: United States Air Force, Technical Sergeant
Date of birth: Dec. 8, 1990
Date of death: June 8, 2021
Age: 30
Kubie was assigned to: 284th Air Support Operations Squadron.
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No. 24 car: Tobin "Toby" Josiah Lewis
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Major
Hometown: Conifer, Colorado
Date of birth: Dec. 28, 1985
Date of death: Aug. 26, 2023
Age: 37
Lewis was killed after his MV-22 crashed during a training exercise off the coast of northern Australia. Lewis was assigned to: Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363.
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No. 31 car: David "Seth" Mitchell
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Captain
Hometown: Loveland, Ohio
Date of birth: May 17, 1979
Date of death: Oct. 26, 2009
Age: 30
Mitchell was killed in a helicopter collision while on duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Mitchell was assigned to: Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
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No. 34 car: Andrew P. Southard
Military branch: United States Army, Sergeant
Hometown: Apache Junction, Arizona
Date of birth: Oct. 27, 1996
Date of death: Nov. 10, 2023
Age: 27
Southard was assigned to: 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Regiment (Airborne).
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No. 38 car: Francisco L. Valle
Military branch: United States Army, Sergeant First Class
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Date of birth: May 23, 1938
Date of death: March 12, 1968
Age: 29
Valle was assigned to: 1st Battalion, 327 Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
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No. 41 car: Jonathan Batista
Military branch: United States Army, Specialist
Hometown: Rutherford, New Jersey
Date of birth: Aug. 19, 1989
Date of death: July 8, 2012
Age: 22
Batista was assigned to: 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
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No. 42 car: Dustin James Feldhaus
Military branch: United States Army, Specialist
Hometown: Glendale, Arizona
Date of birth: Oct. 2, 1990
Date of death: March 29, 2011
Age: 20
Feldhaus was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Feldhaus was assigned to: 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
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No. 43 car: Charles T. Butler
Military branch: United States Navy, Lieutenant Commander
Hometown: Paintsville, Kentucky
Date of birth: Oct. 16, 1928
Date of death: June 14, 1967
Age: 38
Butler was assigned to: Reconnaisance Attack Squadron Three.
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No. 44 car: Bengamin O. Davis Jr.
Military branch: United States Air Force, General
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Date of birth: Dec. 18, 1912
Date of death: July 4, 2002
Age: 89
Davis Jr., entered United States Military Academy at West Point in 1932 and graduated in 1936. Davis Jr. was the first Black general in the U.S. Air Force. Davis Jr. was assigned to: Tuskegee Airmen - 99th Pursuit Squadron, later the 332nd Fighter Group (World War II).
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No. 45 car: Jacob L. Frazier
Military branch: United States Air Force, Staff Sergeant
Hometown: St. Charles, Illinois
Date of birth: Nov. 30, 1978
Date of death: March 29, 2003
Age: 24
Frazier was killed in action during an ambush in Geresk, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Frazier was assigned to: 69th Support Operations Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing.
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No. 47 car: Phil Isadore Valdez
Military branch: United States Navy, Petty Officer Third Class
Hometown: Espanola, New Mexico
Date of birth: April 13, 1946
Date of death: Jan. 29, 1967
Age: 20
Valdez was killed in action in Da Nang, Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross after he carried severely wounded soldiers to safety and rendered aid. Valdez was assigned to: Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force.
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No. 48 car: Arthur "Bo" Felder
Military branch: United States Army National Guard, Captain
Hometown: Lewisville, Arkansas
Date of birth: Oct. 17, 1967
Date of death: April 24, 2004
Age: 36
Felder was assigned to: 39th Support Battalion, 39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
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No. 50 car: Michael J. McMahon
Military branch: United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: West Hartford, Connecticut
Date of birth: Oct. 22, 1963
Date of death: Nov. 27, 2004
Age: 41
McMahon was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
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No. 51 car: Jeanne M. Balcombe
Military branch: United States Army, Sergeant First Class
Hometown: McMinnville, Oregon
Date of birth: Nov. 8, 1966
Date of death: Aug. 21, 1999
Age: 32
Balcombe was assigned to: 55th Military Police Company. She was awarded The Soldiers Medal (the highest peacetime award).
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No. 54 car: Mitchel Thomas Morton
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Private First Class
Hometown: Norwood, North Carolina
Date of birth: Oct. 22, 1948
Date of death: March 21, 1969
Age: 20
Morton was killed in action in the Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.
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No. 66 car: Bradley Atwell
Military branch: United States Marines Corps, Sergeant
Hometown: Kokomo, Indiana
Date of birth: Feb. 20, 1985
Date of death: Sept. 14, 2012
Age: 27
Atwell was killed in action in the Battle of Bastion in Afghanistan.
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No. 71 car: Christopher Diaz
Military branch: United States Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date of birth: Sept. 4, 1984
Date of death: Sept. 28, 2011
Age: 27
Diaz was assigned to: 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion.
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No. 77 car: Robert "Bobby" Ramirez III
Military branch: United States Navy, Commander
Hometown: San Diego, California
Date of birth: Sept. 4, 1975
Date of death: Dec. 19, 2022
Age: 47
Ramirez was assigned to: SEAL Team 1.
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No. 84 car: James Richard Patton
Military branch: United States Army, Staff Sergeant
Hometown: Vincennes, Indiana
Date of birth: April 23, 1986
Date of death: April 18, 2010
Age: 23
Patton was killed in a helicopter crash in Tikrit, Iraq and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal. Patton was assigned to: Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
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No. 99 car: Laura A. Piper
Military branch: United States Air Force, First Lieutenant
Hometown: Venice Florida
Date of birth: March 18, 1969
Date of death: April 14, 1994
Age: 25
Piper was assigned to: 39th Support Squadron.
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Pace Car 1: Melvin A. Holland
Military branch: United States Air Force, Technical Sergeant
Hometown: Woodland, Washington
Date of birth: Jan. 6, 1936
Date of death: March 11, 1968
Age: 32
Holland was assigned to: Detachment 1, 1043rd Radar Evolution Squadron, 7th Air Force.
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Pace Car 2: Russell R. Bell
Military branch: United States Army, First Sergeant
Hometown: Tyler, Texas
Date of birth: Jan. 20, 1975
Date of death: Aug. 2, 2012
Age: 37
Bell was killed from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device (IED) in Zharay, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Bell was assigned to: 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
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Grand Marshall 1: Jacob N. Fritz
Military branch: United States Army, First Lieutenant
Hometown: Verdon, Nebraska
Date of birth: Sept. 28, 1981
Date of death: Jan. 20, 2007
Age: 25
Fritz graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point 2005. Fritz was assigned to: 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
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Grand Marshal 2: Ronnie D. Williams
Military branch: United States Army, Specialist
Hometown: Erlanger, Kentucky
Date of birth: May 22, 1979
Date of death: July 17, 2005
Age: 26
Williams was assigned to: 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
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Grand Marshal 3: Harry D. Caudill
Military branch: United States Army, Private
Hometown: Mason, West Virginia
Date of birth: Aug. 20, 1917
Date of death: Dec. 3, 1944
Age: 27
Caudill was assigned to: Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.
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Grand Marshal 4: Chad Ellis
Military branch: United States Air Force, Airman First Class
Hometown: Pine Knot, Kentucky
Date of birth: April 24, 1985
Date of death: Sept. 2, 2006
Age: 21
Ellis died from injuries sustained from being hit by a car in Livorno, Italy.