ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

GA Guard Member Killed in Vehicle Roll Over

Sgt. Chad M. Mercer, 25, of Waycross, Georgia, died June 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled over while conducting combat operations.  Mercer was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team, Fitzgerald, Georgia. Photo shows the final memorial to Sgt. Chad Mercer. (Photo by Sgt. David Bill 48th BCT PAO, July 6, 2005, from the GA-ARNG web site).

Afghanistan

U.S. NAVY

Fierce Encounter with Enemy Fighters Yields a Horrific Day of Losses and Multiple Heroes

Details of two related incidents that occurred on June 28, 2005, have been reported in several DoD releases.  The releases disclose that a four-man Navy SEAL has penetrated deep behind enemy lines east of Asadabad in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan.  The SEAL team was conducting a reconnaissance mission at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. The team was comprised of SEALs, Lt. Michael Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz, Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell. They four .were scouting Ahmad Shah - a terrorist in his mid-30s who grew up in the adjacent mountains just to the south.

Under the assumed name Muhammad Ismail, Shah led a guerrilla group known to locals as the "Mountain Tigers" that had aligned with the Taliban and other militant groups close to the Pakistani border. The SEAL mission was compromised when the team was spotted by local nationals, who presumably reported its presence and location to the Taliban.

The four SEALs encountered a much larger enemy force with superior tactical positioning that attacked them on three sides. A fierce firefight erupted forcing the Navy team deeper into a ravine.

Trying to reach safety, the four men, now each wounded, began bounding down the mountain's steep sides, making leaps of 20 to 30 feet. Approximately 45 minutes into the fight, pinned down by overwhelming forces, Dietz, the communications petty officer, sought open air to place a distress call back to the base. But before he could, he was shot in the hand, the blast shattering his thumb.

Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy moved away from the protective mountain rocks, and knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire in order to make contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base. While requesting assistance, Murphy was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter, but he quickly picked it up and completed the call while continuing to fire at the enemy.

An MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was sent to retrieve the four embattled SEALs.  The MH-47 was escorted by heavily-armored, Army attack helicopters, which are used to neutralize the enemy and make it safer for the lightly-armored, personnel-transport helicopter.

The heavy weight of the attack helicopters slowed the formation’s advance prompting the MH-47 to outrun their armored escort.  They knew the tremendous risk going into an active enemy area in daylight, without their attack support, but they also knew their fellow warriors were in dire straights.  So, the team opted to proceed in hopes of  completing the rescue.  As the Chinook raced to Seal's position, a rocket-propelled grenade struck, killing all on board.

On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs, Murphy, Luttrell, Dietz and Axelson, continued the fight.  By the end of the two-hour gunfight that careened through the hills and over cliffs, Murphy, Axelson and Dietz had been killed. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead.

The fourth SEAL, Luttrell, was blasted over a ridge by a rocket propelled grenade and was knocked unconscious. Regaining consciousness some time later, Luttrell managed to escape - badly injured - and slowly crawl away down the side of a cliff. Dehydrated, with a bullet wound to one leg, shrapnel embedded in both legs, three vertebrae cracked; the situation for Luttrell was grim. Rescue helicopters were sent in, but he was too weak and injured to make contact. Traveling seven miles on foot he evaded the enemy for nearly a day. Gratefully, local nationals came to his aid, carrying him to a nearby village where they kept him for three days. The Taliban came to the village several times demanding that Luttrell be turned over to them. The villagers refused.  One of the villagers made his way to a Marine outpost with a note from Luttrell, and U.S. forces launched a massive operation that rescued him from enemy territory on July 2.

This was the worst single-day U.S. Forces death toll since Operation Enduring Freedom began, and it was the single largest loss of life for Naval Special Warfare since World War II.

The remains of two of the SEALS were located by coalition force while conducting a combat search and rescue operation July 4 in Kunar Province. Both sailors whereabouts had been unknown since June 28. The body of a third Navy Seal killed in the incident was not recovered until July 10. Killed:

	Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, California. Axelson was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
	Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz, 25, of Littleton, Colorado. Dietz was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

A SPECIAL HERO IS REMEMBERED On October 23, 2007, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England inducted Lt. Michael P. Murphy into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. Lt. Murphy was honored for his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit and inspirational devotion to his men in the face of certain death.  His determination to relay the position of his unit ultimately led to the rescue of one of his team members and the recovery of his own remains as well as the remains of two of his fellow Seals killed in the battle.
	Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, New York. Murphy was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Born May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, New York, Lt. Michael P. Murphy, fondly referred to by friends and family as “Murph,” grew up in the New York City commuter town of Patchogue, New York on Long Island. After completing high school, Murphy attended Penn State University, where he was an exceptional all-around athlete and student, excelling at ice hockey and graduating with honors. In 1998, Murphy graduated with a pair of Bachelor of Arts degrees from Penn State -- in political science and psychology.  Following graduation, he was accepted to several law schools, but decided to attend SEAL mentoring sessions at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. While there, he set his sights on becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. Murphy accepted an appointment to the Navy's Officer Candidate School at Pensacola, Florida, in September, 2000. He was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy on December 13, 2000, and began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California, in January 2001.  Murphy earned his SEAL Trident and joined the Seal Delivery Vehicle Team (SDVT) 1 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in July of 2002. Assignments took him first to Jordan, then to Florida, and eventually to Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from Qatar, he was deployed to the Horn of Africa, Djibouti, to assist in the operational planning of future SDV missions. In early 2005, Murphy was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 as assistant officer in charge of ALFA Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Murphy died June 28, 2007 and was buried at Calverton National Cemetery less than 20 miles from his childhood home. His military awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal. Murphy is survived by his mother and father; and a brother.
OFFICIAL CITATION For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005.  While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan.  On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters.  As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team.  Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force.  The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team.  Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men.  When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates.  Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call.  This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire.  Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team.  In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom.  By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Signed George W. Bush

 

Seventeen service members were on board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter that crashed in mountainous terrain west of Asadabad, Afghanistan while attempting to rescue Lt. Murphy and his men.  Killed aboard the helicopter were:

The eight soldiers killed were assigned to the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Air Field, Georgia. They were: SSgt. Shamus O. Goare, 29, of Danville, Ohio. Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 35, of Clarks Grove, Minnesota. Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 21, of Pompano Beach, Florida. Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 33, of Shelbyville, Indiana. MSgt James W. Ponder III, 36, of Franklin, Tennessee. Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 34, of Washington Depot, Connecticut. Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 31, of Stafford, Virginia. Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 40, of Jacksonville, Florida.

Three of the sailors were members of the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They were: Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, New Hampshire. Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder City, Nevada. Petty Officer 2nd Class James Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Five of the sailors were assigned to SEAL Team Ten, Virginia Beach, Virginia. They were: Chief Petty Officer Jacques J. Fontan, 36, of New Orleans, Louisiana. Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen, 33, of San Diego, California. Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery A. Lucas, 33, of Corbett, Oregon. Lt. Michael M. McGreevy, Jr., 30, of Portville, New York. Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey S. Taylor, 30, of Midway, West Virginia.

 

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed as Convoy is Attacked in Baghdad

2nd Lt. Matthew S. Coutu, 23, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, died June 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, where enemy forces engaged his convoy with small arms fire. The AFPS reported that Coutu was killed while investigating a burning vehicle. Coutu was assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

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Crew Killed When Helicopter Crashes in Taji

Two soldiers assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. died on June 27 near Taji, Iraq, where their AH-64D Apache helicopter crashed.  Killed were:

 

Chief Warrant Officer Keith R. Mariotti, 39, of Texas.

Chief Warrant Officer Steven E. Shephard, 30, of Purcell, Oklahoma.

Photo from Frontline 050406

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

WI Guard Member Dies from IED Blast in Baghdad

Spc. Charles A. Kaufman, 20, of Fairchild, Wisconsin, died June 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Kaufman was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, Arcadia, Wisconsin.

Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, June 25, 2005 - Two Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) who were previously listed as "duty status whereabouts unknown" are now confirmed dead, military officials in Baghdad, Iraq, reported today. The Marines, both men, were in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and small-arms fire June 23 in Fallujah. A Marine and a sailor (Regina Clark) believed to be in the vehicle remain listed as "duty status whereabouts unknown," pending positive identification, officials said. News reports that have identified Marines as being part of a civil affairs unit are incorrect, Multinational Force Iraq officials said, adding that the Marines are from several different headquarters and service support units. Eleven women are among 13 Marines wounded in the attack. Two Marines, including a woman (Veashna Muy), (and Chad Powell) previously had been reported as killed. All of the Marines were assigned to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). They were en route to Camp Fallujah after working at entry control points in the adjacent city of Fallujah, officials said. A statement issued by Multinational Force Iraq said woman Marines search Iraqi women moving through the city's checkpoints, out of respect for Iraqi cultural sensitivities. Their assignment to this mission is in full accordance with Defense Department and Marine Corps policy, officials said. The names of the dead are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Events Reported by American Forces Press Service (AFPS) WASHINGTON, June 24, 2005 - Two Marines (Muy and Powell) assigned to 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) were killed and 13 were wounded when a suicide car bomber struck their convoy June 23 in Fallujah, Iraq, U.S. military officials in Baghdad reported. Three other Marines and a sailor (Clark) believed to be in the vehicle are listed as "duty status whereabouts unknown" pending a positive identification of remains, officials said. At least three women are among the servicemembers killed, according to press reports. The names of the dead are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

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U.S. MARINES

Marine Falls to Enemy Fire in Fallujah

Cpl. Carlos Pineda, 23, Los Angeles, California, died June 24 as a result of wounds sustained from enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq.  Pineda was assigned to 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. MARINES

Five of Six Service Personnel Killed in Fallujah by a Suicide Bomber are Identified

Six U.S. Service Personnel died June 23 in Fallujah, Iraq when their convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber traveling in a vehicle equipped with an improvised explosive device.  Five of the Service Personnel killed in the attack were Marines.  They were:

Two Marines assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  They were:

Lance Cpl. Holly A. Charette, 21, from Cranston, Rhode Island.

Cpl. Ramona M. Valdez, 20, of Bronx, New York.

Also killed in the same incident were:

Two members of the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They were:

Pfc. Veashna Muy, 20, of Los Angeles, California.

Cpl. Chad W. Powell, 22, of West Monroe, Louisiana.

Also killed was a U.S. Naval Officer.  Killed was:

U.S. NAVY

Petty Officer 1st Class Regina R. Clark, 43, of Centralia, Washington. Clark was a culinary specialist deployed with Naval Construction Region Detachment 30, Port Hueneme, California, and was temporarily assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

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U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher W. Phelps, 39, of Louisville, Kentucky, died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Phelps was assigned to the Army's 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

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Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Injury in Baghdad

Sgt. Joseph M. Tackett, 22, of Whitehouse, Kentucky, died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury.  Tackett was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

CA Guard Member Killed by Enemy Fire

Sgt. Arnold Duplantier II, 26, of Sacramento, California, died June 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was providing cordon security, and was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Duplantier was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Auburn, California.

U.S. ARMY

Enemy Fire Claims Three Soldiers in Ramadi

Three members of the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado died on June 21 in Ramadi, Iraq, when their unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Their unit was conducting combat operations at the time of the attack. Killed were:

   

Spc. Christopher L. Hoskins, 21, of Danielson, Connecticut.

Spc. Nicholas R. Idalski, 23, of Crown Point, Indiana.

Spc. Brian A. Vaughn, 23, of Pell City, Alabama.

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Soldier Killed by IED in Ar Rutbah

Sgt. James D. Stewart, 29, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died June 21 in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military cargo truck.  Stewart was assigned to the 57th Transportation Company, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.  Originally from Oglethorpe, Georgia, Stewart entered the Army in October 2002.  After basic training in October 2003, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division where he was a vehicle driver. Stewart deployed with his unit to Iraq in December 2004. He had previously deployed to Iraq with the 57th Transportation Company, on the unit's first deployment rotation from May 2003 to May 2004. The Purple Heart is among the awards and decorations he received. Stewart is survived by his mother. (Source: DoD and 10th MD web site)

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies in Attack on Convoy

Pfc. Christopher R. Kilpatrick, 18, of Columbus, Texas, died June 20 in Tal Afar, Iraq, during convoy operations when enemy forces attacked his HMMWV with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.  Kilpatrick was assigned to the 603rd Transportation Company, 142nd Corps Support Battalion, Warrior Brigade, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

U.S. MARINES

Enemy Fire Claims Marine in Karabilah

Lance Cpl. Adam J. Crumpler, 19, from Charleston, West Virginia, died June 18 as a result of small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Spear in Karabilah, Iraq. Crumpler was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

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U.S. ARMY

Two Soldiers Die of Injuries Received in Attack

Two members of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia died on June 18 in Baqubah, Iraq, from injuries sustained on June 17 in Buritz, Iraq, when they were conducting a mounted patrol and their HMMWV was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades. Killed were:

1st Lt. Noah Harris, 23, of Ellijay, Georgia.

Cpl. William A. Long, 26, of Lilburn, Georgia.

U.S. ARMY

Two Soldiers Die in Attack in Al Qaim

Two soldiers assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina died on June 17 in Al Qaim, Iraq, while conducting combat operations.

Killed were:

Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan, 40, of Austin, Texas.

Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty, 36, of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Afghanistan

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Injuries Sustained in IED Blast

Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, 43, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, died on June 16 at the Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from injuries sustained on June 3 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle in Orgun-E, Afghanistan.  Piper was assigned the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

U.S. MARINES

Five Marines and a Sailor Killed in Ramadi by IED

Five members of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California, died June 15 when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  Their unit was operating with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, which was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).  Killed were

     

Lance Cpl. Jonathan R. Flores, 18, of San Antonio, Texas.

Cpl. Jesse Jaime, 22, of Henderson, Nevada.

Lance Cpl. Chad B. Maynard, 19, of Montrose, Colorado

Cpl. Tyler S. Trovillion, 23, of Richardson, Texas.

Lance Cpl. Dion M. Whitley, 21, of Los Angeles, California.

The sailor who was assigned to the unit, and also died, was

Pfc. Nathan B. Clemons, 20, of Winchester, Tennessee, died June 14 from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Ar Rutbah, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. MARINES

Two Marines Killed in Separate IED Attacks

Two Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), were killed by improvised explosive devices in separate incidents June 14 in Iraq. The attacks occurred in Rutbah and Fallujah.  Killed were:

Pfc. Joshua P. Klinger, 21, from Easton, Pennsylvania, died June 14 as a result of an explosion from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Fallujah, Iraq.  Klinger was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Cesar O. Baez, 37, of Pomona, California, died June 15, as a result of enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Al-Anbar province, Iraq.  Baez was a Hospital Corpsman assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

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U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

Sgt. Anthony G. Jones, 25, of Greenville, South Carolina, died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Sgt. Jones was assigned to the 104th Transportation Company, 36th Engineer Group, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Benning, Georgia.

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ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

KY Guard Member Killed in Baghdad

Pfc. Michael R. Hayes, 29, of Morgantown, Kentucky, died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a rocket-propelled grenade hit his HMMWV while he was providing security cordon for an improvised explosive device found earlier.  Hayes was assigned to the Army National Guard's 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Kentucky.

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed by Blast in Al Anbar Province

 

Lance Cpl. John J. Mattek, Jr., 24, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died June 13 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on June 8.  Mattek was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

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U.S. ARMY

Two Soldiers from Ohio Killed in Ramadi

Two members of the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado died on June 13 in Ramadi, Iraq, where their military vehicle came under a grenade attack while conducting combat operations.  Killed were:

 

Spc. Anthony D. Kinslow, 21, of Westerville, Ohio.

Sgt. Larry R. Kuhns Jr., 24, of Austintown, Ohio.

U.S. ARMY

IED Blast Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Cpl. Stanley J. Lapinski, 35, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died June 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Lapinski was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

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U.S. ARMY & ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

IED Claims Two Soldiers in Al Taqaddum

Two soldiers (Byers and Prince) died June 11 in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle. Killed were:

Spc. Casey Byers, 22, of Schleswig, Iowa.  Byers was assigned to the Army National Guard's 224th Engineer Battalion, Ottumwa, Iowa.  The IA-ANG web site reported that the attack occurred around 8 p.m. Iraq time, as U.S. soldiers searched for the origin of a detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED). During the operation, insurgents detonated another IED directly underneath the Humvee in which Byers was the gunner and Prince was the driver. Another U.S. soldier, Spc. James Migues, Jr., 28, of Ottumwa, Iowa, also assigned to Co. B, 224th Engineer Battalion, was injured in the blast as he patrolled on foot in front of the vehicle. Byers grew up in Vail, Iowa and graduated from Ar-We-Va High School in 2001. He attended Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, and enlisted in the IA-ANG (Denison) in December 1999 where he qualified as an Infantryman. His platoon was deployed to the Sinai peninsula from July 2003 to January 2004. Byers volunteered to serve in Iraq in October 2004. Prior to his deployment with the 224th Engineer Battalion, Byers worked for Casey’s General Stores at their Ankeny warehouse.  Byers is survived by his mother and father, Ann and William Byers, brother Paul, and sister Jennifer, all of Schleswig, Iowa. He is also survived by an infant daughter, Hailey.

Sgt. 1st Class Neil A. Prince, 35, of Baltimore, Maryland.  Prince was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

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ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Two MS Guard Members Killed by IED

Two members of the Army National Guard's 150th Combat Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Lucedale, Mississippi, died June 11 in Owesat Village, Iraq, when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an improvised explosive device.  Killed were:

 

Sgt. Larry R. Arnold, Sr., 46, of Carriere, Mississippi.

Spc. Terrance D. Lee, Sr., 25, of Moss Point, Mississippi.

Afghanistan

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed by Small Arms Fire in Afghanistan

 

Sgt. First Class Victor H. Cervantes, 27, of Stockton, California, died June 10, in Orgun-e, Afghanistan, when he came under small arms fire while on patrol.  Cervantes was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

U.S. MARINES  & MARINE RESERVES

Five Marines Killed in Combat

Five Marines died June 9 in Haqlaniyah, Iraq while conducting combat operations with the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward. Killed were one active-duty Marine and four Marine Reservists.  They were:

Lance Cpl. Daniel Chavez, 20, of Seattle, Washington. Chavez was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Also killed were three Reservists assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Akron, Ohio.  They were: Lance Cpl. Thomas O. Keeling, 23, of Strongsville, Ohio Lance Cpl. Devon P. Seymour, 21, of St. Louisville, Ohio Cpl. Brad D. Squires, 26, of Middleburg Heights, Ohio The fourth Reservist was: Lance Cpl. Dustin V. Birch, 22, of Saint Anthony, Idaho. Birch was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Boise, Idaho.

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U.S. ARMY & ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

TN Guard Member Dies from Non-Combat Related Causes

Staff Sgt. Mark O. Edwards, 40, of Unicoi, Tennessee, died June 9 at his forward operating base near Tuz, Iraq, from a non-combat related cause.   Edwards was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Erwin, Tennessee.

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ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

LA Guard Member Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

Sgt. David J. Murray, 23, of Clinton, Louisiana, died June 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Murray was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1088th Engineering Battalion, New Roads, Louisiana.

Afghanistan

U.S. ARMY & ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Two Killed in Attack on Helicopter Landing Zone

Two solders, including a Massachusetts Army National Guard Member, were killed June 8, in Shkin, Afghanistan, when their helicopter landing zone came under enemy fire. Killed were:

Pfc. Emmanuel Hernandez, 22, of Yauco, Puerto Rico.  Hernandez was assigned to the Army's 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

Sgt. Michael J. Kelley, 26, of Scituate, Massachusetts.  Kelley was assigned to the Army National Guard's 101st Field Artillery Battalion, Rehoboth, Massachusetts.