BSBD Brian Bill
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Conn., was killed in action in Wardak Province, eastern Afghanistan. Born the son of Dr. Michael and Patricia Parry of Stamford, Conn., and Scott Bill of Sarasota, Fla. Chief Special Warfare Operator Bill was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Trinity Catholic High School, Stamford and the Military College of Vermont, Norwich University, Northfield, Vt., with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.
In June, 2001 he enlisted in the United States Navy to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. After Basic Training in Great Lakes, Ill., he attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, Calif. In 2003 he was designated as a SEAL and assigned to an east coast SEAL Team based in Virginia Beach. During his career he was decorated with the following personal awards: three Bronze Stars with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and three Good Conduct Medals.
Brian was a skilled fly-fisherman, skier and skydiver. He was an accomplished mountaineer with successful summits of Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia. He had completed several marathons and obtained his commercial pilot's license. He independently studied Russian and became fluent in French.