SSG Tony B. Olaes

20 September 2004, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of Walhalla, South Carolina, Staff Sergeant Tony B. Olaes died 20 September 2004 during a combat patrol near the town of Shkin in Paktika Province, Afghanistan.

Olaes enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard in 1992, left the military in 1998, and reenlisted in the Regular Army in 1999 as a Multi-channel Transmissions System Operator-Maintainer. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2001.

SSG Olaes was assigned as a Medical Sergeant to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was serving in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at the time of his death.