U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Enemy Fire in Al Qaim

Sgt. 1st Class Steven M. Langmack, 33, of Seattle, Washington, died May 31 in Al Qaim, Iraq, from injuries sustained from small arms fire during combat operations. Langmack was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

---

U.S. ARMY RESERVES

Rocket Blast Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Sgt. Miguel A. Ramos, 39, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, died May 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an enemy rocket impacted near his position.  Ramos was assigned to the Army Reserve's 807th Signal Company, 35th Signal Battalion, Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.

Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, May 31, 2005 - Four U.S. Air Force service members and one Iraqi airman died in the Iraqi military aircraft crash in Iraq's eastern Diyala province May 30, coalition officials reported today. The Comp Air 7SL aircraft belonged to the 3rd Squadron of the Iraqi Air Force and is a single-engine aircraft used for surveillance and personnel transport. The Iraqi Air Force had seven of these aircraft in its inventory. The crash occurred near Jalula, about 50 miles northeast of Baqubah. The aircraft departed Kirkuk Air Base on an operational mission to Jalula. An Iraqi civilian reported the crash to the Joint Communications Center in Khanaqin. Iraqi and coalition forces secured the crash site. The names of the deceased airmen are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

---

U.S. MARINES

Marine Falls to Enemy Fire in Ar Ramadi

Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, 22, of Snohomish, Washington, died May 30 from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Injuries

Staff Sgt. Victor M. Cortes III, 29, of Erie, Pennsylvania, died May 29 in Baghdad, Iraq of non-combat-related injuries.  Cortes was assigned to the 703rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Qatar

U.S. ARMY RESERVES

Commander Dies of Non-Combat Related Illness

Lt. Col. Albert E. Smart, 41, of San Antonio, Texas, died May 28 in Doha, Qatar, of a non-combat related illness.  Smart was assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve's 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received in IED Blast

Sgt. Mark A. Maida, 22, of Madison, Wisconsin, died May 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Diyarah, Iraq, May 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.   Maida was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

---

Crew Dies from Injuries After Copter Crashes

Two members of the Army's 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina died on May 27 from injuries sustained on May 26 in Buhriz, Iraq, when their OH-58 (Kiowa Warrior) came under small arms attack and crashed.  The soldiers were:

CW4 Matthew Scott Lourey, 40, of East Bethel, Minnesota.

CW2 Joshua Michael Scott, 28, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

MARINE RESERVES

Grenade Blast Kills Reservist in Hadithah

Maj. Ricardo A. Crocker, 39, of Mission Viejo, California, died May 26 from a rocket propelled grenade explosion while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq.  Crocker was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Civil Affairs Group, Camp Pendleton, California.   During Operation Iraqi Freedom his unit was attached to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

MARINE RESERVES

Enemy Action Claims Marine in Hadithah

Sgt. David N. Wimberg, 24, of Louisville, Kentucky, died May 25 from wounds received as a result of small-arms fire from enemy forces while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq.  Wimberg was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

---

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

TN Guard Member Killed in Vehicle Accident

Sgt. Alfred B. Siler, 33, of Duff, Tennessee, died May 25 in Tuz, Iraq, when his HMMWV hit another vehicle.  Siler was assigned to the Army National Guard's Support Squadron, 278th Regimental Combat Team, Knoxville, Tennessee.

U.S. ARMY

IED Blast in Baghdad Kills Three Soldiers

Three members of the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, died May 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV.  They were:

Sgt. Charles A. Drier, 28, of Tuscola, Michigan.

Spec. Dustin C. Fisher, 22, of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Pfc. Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, of Hoopeston, Illinois.

---

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received May 4 in Mosul

Sgt. First Class Randy D. Collins, 36, of Long Beach, California, died May 24 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland., of injuries sustained in Mosul, Iraq, May 4 during a mortar attack. Collins was assigned to the Army's 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

---

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

LA Guard Member Killed by Enemy Fire

Sgt. 1st Class Peter J. Hahn, 31, of Metairie, Louisiana, died May 24, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his observation point was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Hahn was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, New Iberia, Louisiana.

---

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed by Enemy Fire in Ramadi

Sgt. Christopher S. Perez, 30, of Hutchinson, Kansas, died May 23 from wounds received as a result of an indirect fire attack while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ramadi, Iraq.  He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

---

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed by IED in Baghdad

Staff Sgt. Russell J. Verdugo, 34, of Phoenix, Arizona, died May 23, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated as he was responding to a report of an improvised explosive device.  Verdugo was assigned to the 767th Ordnance Company, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

---

Soldier Dies from Non-Combat Related Injuries

Spc. Joshua T. Brazee, 25, of Sand Creek, Michigan, died May 23, in Al Qaim, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries.  Brazee was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

---

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Four MS Guard Members Killed by IED in Haswa

Four members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team died on May 23 in Haswa, Iraq, when their military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Killed were:

Three members of the Army National Guard's C Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, Biloxi, Mississippi.  They were:

Spec. Bryan Edward Barron, 26, of Biloxi, Mississippi.

Staff Sgt. Saburant Parker, 43, of Foxworth, Mississippi.

Sgt. Daniel Ryan Varnado, 23, of Saucier, Mississippi.

The fourth Guard Member killed was:

Spec. Audrey Daron Lunsford, 29, of Sardis, Mississippi. Lunsford was assigned to the Army National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, McComb, Mississippi.

At the time of the attack, the 155th Brigade Combat Team was attached to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, May 23, 2005 - Four U.S. soldiers were killed May 22 in operations in Iraq, while coalition and Iraqi forces continue to round up weapons and suspected terrorists. Three soldiers attached to Task Force Freedom were killed (see Creamean, Seesan, and Morton) and one was injured in two separate terrorist attacks in Mosul, military officials in Baghdad reported. The injured soldier was taken to a combat hospital for treatment. One Task Force Liberty soldier died of his wounds after a car bomb exploded near a combat patrol in Tikrit, officials said. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

---

U.S. ARMY

Three Soldiers from Ft. Lewis Killed in Mosul

Two of the three soldiers killed in Mosul, Iraq on May 22 were members of the 73rd Engineer Company, Fort Lewis, Washington.  They died from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV.  The soldiers were:   Spc. Tyler L. Creamean, 21, of Jacksonville, Arkansas. 1st Lt. Aaron N. Seesan, 25, of Ohio.

The third soldier from Ft. Lewis killed was:

Sgt. Benjamin C. Morton, 24, of Wright, Kansas, died May 22, in Mosul, Iraq, when his dismounted patrol encountered enemy small arms fire.  Morton was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

---

Explosive Device Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Sgt. Charles T. Wilkerson, 30, of Kansas City, Missouri, died May 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an unknown ordnance detonated near his tent.  Wilkerson was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

---

Soldier Dies in Vehicle Accident

Sgt. Kenneth J. Schall, 22, of Peoria, Arizona, died May 22, in Yusafiyah, Iraq, when the HMMWV in which he was riding was involved in an accident.  Schall was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.  He enlisted in the Army in May 2003 and had been stationed at Fort Riley since November 2003.  He served a three month rotation to Iraq with the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor and returned to Fort Riley in March 2004.  Schall deployed with his unit for a second rotation in February 2005.

---

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

OR Guard Member Killed in Vehicle Incident

Sgt. John B. Ogburn III, 45, of Fruitland, Oregon, died May 22, in Kirkuk, Iraq, when his HMMWV overturned after the driver avoided striking a civilian vehicle.  Ogburn was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ontario, Oregon.

---

IED Blast Claims PA Guard Member in Kadasia

Sgt. Carl J. Morgain, 40, of Butler, Pennsylvania, died May 22, in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Kadasia, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Morgain was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, Butler, Pennsylvania.

Afghanistan

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed in IED Blast

Pfc. Steven C. Tucker, 19, of Grapevine, Texas, died May 21, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained near Shinkay, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Tucker was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

U.S. ARMY

IED Blast Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Sgt. Kurt D. Schamberg, 26, of Euclid, Ohio, died May 20, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Schamberg was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. Schamberg entered the Army in April 2003 and completed initial and advanced infantry training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  In August 2004, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum where he served as an automatic rifleman. In March 2003, Schamberg deployed to Iraq to participate in the initial stages Operation Iraqi Freedom.  His unit redeployed to Ft. Drum in March 2004 and deployed again to Iraq in January 2005. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, which he received for for wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device in the western Baghdad district of Abu Ghraib. He is survived by his father, mother, and brother.

---

U.S. ARMY RESERVES

Reservist Dies in Attack on Convoy

Sgt. Brad A. Wentz, 21, of Gladwin, Michigan, died May 20 on a main supply route in Iraq when his convoy came under attack by enemy forces. Wentz was assigned to the Army Reserve's 180th Transportation Company, Muskegon, Michigan.

Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, May 19, 2005 - Two American soldiers died in central Baghdad, Iraq, today, when terrorists riding in a vehicle fired on a U.S. convoy, military officials reported. Another soldier, assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), was killed May 18 during an indirect-fire attack on a U.S. base in Ramadi. The 2nd BCT is a U.S. Army unit assigned to the 2nd MEF in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The names of the deceased soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The incidents are under investigation.

---

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed on Escort Mission by IED

Pfc. Wyatt D. Eisenhauer, 26, of Pinckneyville, Illinois, died May 19 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, on an escort mission in a HMMWV when an improvised explosive device detonated on a bridge. Eisenhauer was a Cavalry Scout with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.  He enlisted into the Army in June 2004, and had been stationed at Fort Riley since October 2004.  He deployed with his unit in February 2005 for his first rotation to Iraq.

---

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Two LA Guard Members Killed in Baghdad

Two members of the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 156th Armor Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, Shreveport, Louisiana, died May 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, when they were shot while conducting dismounted combat operations.  The soldiers were:

Sgt. Robin V. Fell, 22, of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Spec. Bernard L. Sembly, 25, of Bossier City, Louisiana.

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed during Attack on Camp

Sgt. Antwan L. Walker, 22, of Tampa, Florida, died May 18 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when his camp was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.   Walker was assigned to the Army's 2nd Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

U.S. ARMY

IED Blast Kills Soldier in Tikrit

Pfc. Wesley R. Riggs, 19, of Baytown, Texas died May 17 in Tikrit, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted position. Riggs was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

U.S. ARMY

Rocket Propelled Grenade Kills Soldier

Sgt. Jacob M. Simpson, 24, of Ashland, Oregon died May 16, in Tal Afar, Iraq, when a rocket propelled grenade struck the building he was securing.  Simpson was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Carson, Colorado.

U.S. MARINES

OPERATION MATADOR ENDS Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, May 14, 2005 - Operation Matador is over, Marine officials in Iraq announced today. The seven-day operation concentrated on cities near the border with Syria. Pentagon officials said many foreign fighters allied with terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi slip across the porous Syrian-Iraqi border. The operation concentrated on the Euphrates River cities of Karabilah, Ramana and Ubaydi, a Marine statement said. Nine Marines assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2 died in the operation. Forty more were wounded. The statement said the joint-service team's Marines, soldiers and sailors "killed more than 125 terrorists, wounding many others and detaining 39 terrorists of intelligence value." Coalition officials were concerned about the region even before fighting in Fallujah in November. The area - part of Iraq's Anbar province - is laced with smuggling routes that go back generations. Tribal loyalties extend on both sides of the border, and families often control smuggling "territory" and charge for services, said Pentagon officials. Marine officials said terrorists use the area as a staging ground for attacks against Iraqi and coalition targets in Ramadi, Fallujah, Baghdad and Mosul. The operation began May 7, and Marines killed about 70 terrorists in the first 24-hour period. "Operation Matador confirmed existing intelligence assessments focused on this region north of the Euphrates River, including knowledge of numerous cave complexes in the nearby escarpment," the Marine statement said. The Marines will continue to monitor the area, officials said. Servicemembers discovered numerous weapons caches containing machine guns, mortar rounds and rocket materials in towns along the Syrian border. "Six vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and material used for making other improvised explosive devices were also found," the statement said. "Regimental Combat Team 2 started and ended this operation as planned, accomplished its mission and secured all objectives," said Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck, 2nd Marine Division commander, quoted in the statement. "Coalition and Iraqi security forces will return again to this area in the future."

---

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from IED Blast in Bayji

Pfc. Travis W. Anderson, 28, of Hooper, Colorado, died May 13 in Bayji, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy. Anderson was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, May 12, 2005 - Three U.S. soldiers were killed today in separate roadside bomb explosions in Iraq, military officials in Baghdad reported. A Task Force Baghdad soldier died from wounds suffered when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in eastern Baghdad at about 1 p.m. (See Pfc. Kenneth E. Zeigler II) Near Samarra, a Task Force Liberty soldier was killed (See Sgt. Andrew R. Jodon) and another was wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated next to a combat patrol at about 2:45 p.m. No report was available on the wounded soldier's condition. A soldier assigned to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), died when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations about nine miles east of Musayib. The 155th BCT is an Army unit assigned to the 2nd MEF in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

---

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from IED Blast in Iskandariyah

Sgt. John M. Smith, 22, of Wilmington, North Carolina, died May 12 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.  Smith was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

---

IED Blast in Samarra Kills Soldier

Sgt. Andrew R. Jodon, 27, of Karthaus, Pennsylvania, died May 12 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Jodon was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

---

IED Blast Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Pfc. Kenneth E. Zeigler II, 22, of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, died May 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Ziegler was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed in Karabilah

Staff Sgt. Kendall H. Ivy II, 28, of Crawford, Ohio, was killed May 11 from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq.  Ivy was assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

---

Marine Dies of Injuries Received in January

Lance Cpl. John T. Schmidt III, 21, of Brookfield, Connecticut, died May 11 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on January 30.  Schmidt was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Schmidt's unit was attached to the 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

---

U.S. MARINE RESERVES

Five Reservists Killed in Karabilah

The Department of Defense reported that five reservists were killed in combat operations in Karabilah on May 11.  Four of the five were killed when their vehicle struck an IED.  Three of the Marines killed were from the 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio.  Killed were:

Lance Cpl. Wesley G. Davids, 20, of Dublin, Ohio, died May 11 from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq.  Davids was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his reserve unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

---

The four Marines Reservists killed May 11 when their amphibious assault vehicle struck an explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq. were:

Two members of the Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio. Pfc. Christopher R. Dixon, 18, of Columbus, Ohio Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Erdy, 21, of Williamsburg, Ohio The other Marines killed in the vehicle were: Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Grant, 23, of Santa Fe, New Mexico Grant was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Albuquerque, New Mexico.   Lance Cpl. Jourdan L. Grez, 24, of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Grez was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Roanoke, Virginia. For Operation Iraqi Freedom, these Marines' units were attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

---

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received from IED

Staff Sgt. Samuel T. Castle, 26, of Naples, Texas, died May 11 in Al Asad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device detonation.  Castle was assigned to the Army's 327th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, Fort Bragg. North Carolina.

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies of Injuries Received in IED Blast

1st Sgt. Michael J. Bordelon, 37, of Morgan City, Louisiana, died May 10 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from injuries sustained April 23 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his Stryker military vehicle.  Bordelon was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

U.S. MARINES

Four Marines Die in Iraq as Fighting Intensifies

All four Marines were from the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. 

Three of the four Marines killed were members of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They were:   Pfc. Stephen P. Baldwyn, 19, of Saltillo, Mississippi.  Baldwyn died May 9 as a result of wounds received from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Nasser Wa Salaam, Iraq.  Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahdee, 20, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, died May 9 as a result of wounds received from an enemy explosion while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Al Karmah, Iraq. Lance Cpl. Taylor B. Prazynski, 20, of Fairfield, Ohio, died May 9 from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Karmah, Iraq.

The fourth Marine killed was

Staff Sgt. Anthony L. Goodwin, 33, of Mount Holly, North Jersey, died May 9 from enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Al Qaim, Iraq.  Goodwin was assigned to 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. MARINES

OPERATION MATADOR BEGINS

Fighting Claims Marine in Al Anbar Province

Lance Cpl. Michael V. Postal, 21, Glen Oaks, New York died May 7 as a result of enemy action while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.. Postal was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

---

Marine Dies in a Combat Related Incident

Petty Officer Third Class Jeffery L. Wiener, 32, of Louisville, Kentucky, died May 7, in a combat related incident.  Weiner was a Navy hospital corpsman assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

---

U.S. MARINE RESERVES

Two Reservists Die in Al Anbar Province

Two members of the Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, San Antonio, Texas died May 7 from explosions as a result of enemy action while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Killed were:: Sgt. Aaron N. Cepeda, Sr., 22, San Antonio, Texas. Lance Cpl. Lance T. Graham, 26, San Antonio, Texas.

---

Marine Killed in Hadithah During Combat Ops

Sgt. Michael A. Marzano, 28, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, died May 7 as the result of an explosion caused by suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq.  Marzano was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.  His company is based in Phoenix, Arizona. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom Marzano's unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed in Baghdad by IED

Sgt. Stephen P. Saxton, 24, of Temecula, California, died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was conducting a route security mission and an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Saxton was assigned to the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

---

IED Blast Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Staff Sgt. William J. Brooks, 30, of Birmingham, Alabama, died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was conducting a route security mission and an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Brooks was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, May 3, 2005 - A 1st Corps Support Command soldier was killed and another was injured May 2 when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during a patrol south of Baghdad International Airport, military officials in Baghdad reported today. The names of those service members killed are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

---

U.S. MARINES

Two Marine Pilots Killed in Crash of F/A-18 Hornets

Two members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California died May 2 from injuries received when their two F/A-18 Hornet aircraft crashed in Iraq.  The pilots' unit was embarked aboard the U.S.S. Carl Vinson. Killed were:

Capt. Kelly C. Hinz, 30, of Woodbury, Minnesota.  Hinz originally entered the service on July 14, 1996, and joined his current unit September 3, 2003. His awards include the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.  Hinz is survived by his wife and daughter.

Maj. John C. Spahr, 42, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Spahr was assigned as the executive officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.  He originally entered the service on August 11, 1989, and joined his current unit June 5, 2002. His many awards include four Air Medals and four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (one with Combat Distinguishing Device). Spahr is survived by his mother and daughter.

Photos from "Flight Jacket," May 13, 2005.

---

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

MS Guard Member Dies from Injuries Sustained in IED Blast

Staff Sgt. Tommy S. Little, 47, of Aliceville, Alabama, died May 2 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained on April 19 near Iskandariyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Little was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment, Columbus, Mississippi.

---

AL Guard Member Dies from IED Blast

Sgt. John E. McGee, 36, of Columbus, Georgia, died May 2 near Diwaniyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. McGee was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2101st Transportation Company, Camden, Alabama.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

KS Guard Member Killed by IED

Spc. Derrick J. Lutters, 24, of Burlington, Colorado, died May 1 along a supply route in Iraq when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was inspecting a bridge for enemy tampering. Lutters was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 891st Engineer Brigade, Pittsburg, Kansas.