Bonacasa
Lemm
STEWART ANG BASE – Two members of the 105th Airlift Wing of the
New York Air National Guard at Stewart Airport were among the six casualties
of Monday’s suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
Tech Sgt. Joseph Lemm of West Harrison, and Staff Sgt. Louis Michael Bonacasa, of Coram, in Suffolk County, were members of the 105th Base Defense Squadron at Stewart Airport in the Town of Newburgh. They were killed on Monday, December 21 when a suicide bomber attacked their patrol in a village outside Bagram Air Base in Parwan Province. Four other airmen who supported Operation Freedom’s Sentinel were also killed in the attack.
Lemm, 45, was a 15-year member of the New York Police Department, was a resident of West Harrison. He enlisted in the 105th Airlift Wing in 2008 and had previously served in the military from 1988 to 1996.
Bonacasa, 30, of enlisted in the active Air Force in 2002 and transitioned to the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Security forces Squadron at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, NY in 2008. He joined the 105th in 2010.
Speaking of Lemm, Congresswoman Nita Lowey said “his commitment and dedication to protecting others made him a true patriot.”
He leaves behind his wife and children.
Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino said Lemm was “the genuine article” when defining the term hero.
“He was a true-grit all-American hero who fought for his country during three tours of duty, served his community as a police officer, and was a loving husband and father.”
Astorino said the county “is on bended knee in sadness over the death of one of our own and the grief that it brings the Lemm family.” He said Lemm’s “selfless and courageous life will serve as a powerful source of comfort and strength” for his family.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said these men “are true heroes” and will be deeply missed.
This tragedy serves as another reminder that our brave servicemen and servicewomen continue to make sacrifices for our great country overseas.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo said Lemm “was committed to his fellow Americans and embodied the selflessness and bravery of the U.S. Armed Forces and the NYPD.”
The governor ordered flags on all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff
in honor of the men.
Lemm and Bonacasa are the 34th and 35th members of the New York National Guard to die in combat since the September 11, 2001 attacks. They are the second and third members of the New York Air National Guard to die in combat.
The first Air National Guard Airman to die in combat was Staff Sgt. Todd Lobraico, Jr., who was killed while operating in the vicinity of Bagram Air Base on September 3, 2013. He, too, was a member of the 105th Base Defense Squadron.
Since September 11, 2001, 12 members of the New York Army and Air National
Guard have died while deployed in Afghanistan.
