Staff Sgt. William R. Neil Jr. was killed in action on March 22nd, 2008, in Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan, while serving with Company C, 3rd Batallion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). He served the 4th Ranger Training Batallion in Ft. Benning, GA and later went on to the Army Rangers School. Staff Sgt. Neil successfully completed training and passed the Special Forces Qualification to become a Green Beret in 2006. He was a true partiot having served four years in the Navy upon graduating from High School, and then giving up his five year career on Wall Street to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1998. He received numerous awards and decorations which include the Army Commendation Medal, six Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Weapons Qualification Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, and the Parachutist Badge. He is expected to receive the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service and the Combat Infantrymans Badge posthumously. Sgt. Neil will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and comrades still fighting for the cause he so dearly believed in. He died doing what he loved- he loved his family as well as serving his country. He was a kind and generous person, and he will never be forgotten. Staff Sgt. Neil is survived by his parents, William and Patricia of Holmdel, N.J., his sister and brother in law Veronica and Michael Cozzi, his sister Patti Neil and her partner Susan Martignoni, his sister and brother in law Barbara and Philip Esposito Jr., his nephews Daniel Robert Neil and Ryan William Esposito, his nieces Kailey Renee Esposito and Megan Elizabeth Neil, and his girlfriend Lorraine Cappuccino. As an alternative to flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: The Walter Reed Army Medical Center ATTN: The Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) Ms. McKay Bldg. 2 Room 3G04 6900 - Georgia Avenue NW Washington, DC 20307-5001 Checks made payable to: WRAMC - SFAC Your memorial donation will be most appreciated. Service: Saturday, March 29, 2008