Soldiers' Angels flew with you while you were deployed.... and we continue now with you, your friends and family.
The Department of Defense announced the death of two sailors who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lt. Florence B. Choe, 35, of El Cajon, Calif., and Lt. j.g. Francis L. Toner IV, 26, of Narragansett, R.I., died March 27 when an insurgent posing as an Afghan National Army soldier opened fire on personnel assigned to Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan at Camp Shaheen, Mazar-E-Sharif, Afghanistan.
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Last July, Choe volunteered to go to Afghanistan, where she worked as a mentor in an Afghan hospital. But Friday afternoon while out conducting physical training, she was shot to death by an insurgent posing as an Afghan National Army soldier who had slipped by U.S. security forces.
Lt. Choe's family says that she was a true San Diegan. She was born at Naval Medical Center San Diego.
She attended Spring Valley's Loma Elementary School and Monte Vista High School; she earned an associate's degree from Cuyamaca Community College in 1994. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of San Diego in 1997, and a master's degree in public health and health care administration in 2001 from San Diego State University. She was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps member in the Navy on February 21, 2002.
Her home duty station was the Naval Medical Center San Diego, where she was born,and where she and her husband, Lt. Commander Chong "Jay" Choe,a urology resident at the medical center, both worked.
Choe and her husband were parents to Kristen, 3.
She was a professional naval officer who was extremely smart and extremely pleasant," said Naval Medical Center spokeswoman Sonja Hanson. "She always had a smile on her face, and everyone respected and admired her. All of us at the Naval Medical Center are proud of her, and we are grieving for her.It's a great loss."
Some of the comments found on news stories about Lt. Choe:
I knew Florence since I was a child. I am so proud to have known such a GREAT woman and friend. She is a American hero and a very special person. Thank you for protecting and serving our country. You will never be forgotten. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. May she rest in peace!I knew Florence since I was a child. I am so proud to have known such a GREAT woman and friend. She is a American hero and a very special person. Thank you for protecting and serving our country. You will never be forgotten. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. May she rest in peace!
I am saddened by this news, I knew both Lt Choe's and have served with them in Okinawa, Japan. She was my Company Commander in H&S Company. She was one that really cared for those that worked with her. She is a motivated leader. May you rest in peace. I am more proud to have served because of people like you. I share the same sentiments of those that knew you and your husband at 3D Medical Battalion. Much respect. HM1 Ed Banaña
My heart and thoughts are w/ the family of Lt. Choe. I had the honor of serving w/ her and her husband while stationed in Okinawa, Japan w/ 3D MED BN 2004-2006. They may not remember me but I remember them, they were a beautiful couple. Lt. Choe you are a true American hero and your honor and sacrifice will NEVER be forgotten. It is because of people like you that make me proud to serve my country. May you rest in peace. -HM3 Jennifer Voreh
Lt. Florence B. Choe is survived by her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Chong "Jay" Choe, ; her daughter, Kristin, 3; mother, Francisca Bacong; father, Rufino Bacong Sr., retired Navy; and brothers Rufino Bacong Jr. and Ron Bacong.
