Monday

Oct 31

Events Reported by the American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, October 31, 2005 - Four U.S. soldiers from Task Force Baghdad were killed today when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the Yusufiyah district, southwest of Baghdad, military officials reported today.

Another roadside bomb killed two 29th Brigade Combat Team soldiers today while they were on a patrol north of Logistics Support Area Anaconda, officials said.

Elsewhere, a U.S. Marine died when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb near Amiriyah October 30. The Marine was assigned to the 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward), 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Another Marine died when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb near Nasser Wa Salaam October 29. The Marine was assigned to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

The names of the soldiers and Marines are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

WASHINGTON, November 1, 2005 - A roadside bomb killed a soldier on a foot patrol October 31, near Haswah, Iraq, military officials reported today.  The soldier, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was assigned to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Four Soldiers Killed in IED Attack

Four members of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq, on October 31, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations. Killed were:

Spc. William J. Byler, 23, of Ballinger, Texas.

Pvt. Adam R. Johnson, 22, of Clayton, Ohio.

Pfc. David J. Martin, 21, of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Tessar, 36, of Simi Valley, California.

Two Reservists Killed in IED Blast in Balad

Two members of the Army Reserve's 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, 29th Brigade Combat Team, Barrigada, Guam, died in Balad, Iraq, on October 31, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations.  Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Wilgene T. Lieto, 28, of Saipan, Marianas Islands of the Pacific.

Spc. Derence W. Jack, 31, of Saipan, Marinas Islands of the Pacific.

OH Guard Member Dies of Injuries Received in IED Blast

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew R. Kading, 32, of Madison, Wisconsin, died at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on October 31, of injuries sustained near Tikrit, Iraq, on October 19, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle.  Kading was assigned to the Army Reserve's 983rd Engineer Battalion, Monclova, Ohio.

MS Guard Member Killed in IED Blast in Iskandariyah

Sunday

Oct 30

Marine Dies of Injuries Received in IED Blast

Sgt. Michael P. Hodshire, 25, of North Adams, Michigan, died October 30 of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device during combat operations near Nasser Wa Salaam, Iraq on October 29.  Hodshire was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Killed by IED During Combat Ops

Staff Sgt. Joel P. Dameron, 27, of Ellabell, Georgia, died October 30 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Al Amiriyah, Iraq.  Dameron was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Saturday

Oct 29

Afghanistan

Enemy Fire Claims Soldier in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Travis W. Nixon, 24, of Saint John, Washington, died from injuries sustained north of Lwara, Afghanistan, on October 29, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.  Nixon was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Landmine Kills Soldier in Bayji

Pfc. Kenny D. Rojas, 21, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, died near Bayji, Iraq, on October 29, when his unit was conducting a combat patrol and a landmine exploded near his HMMWV.  Rojas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Two CA Guard Members Killed in IED Attack

Two members of the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto, California, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 29, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations.  Killed were:

Capt. Raymond D. Hill, II 39, of Turlock, California.  Hill was born and raised in the San Joaquin central valley, graduating from Ceres High. He graduated in 1998 from California State University, Stanislaus, with a BA in Liberal Studies. Most recently he resided in Turlock, CA, where he was employed by the Modesto Irrigation District as an Engineering Technician, and has been an active member of the 4-H Club for numerous years. CPT Hill enlisted in the National Guard in 1987 and was assigned to E Company 1-184th Infantry. He received his commissioned from the California OCS program in August 1997. He served as an Anti-Armor Platoon Leader for Delta Company, 1-184, as well as a Mortar Platoon Leader for HHC. In 2002, Hill deployed to Kuwait as an Alpha Company Platoon Leader. Upon completion of Field Artillery Advance Course, he served as the Fire Support Officer for the 1-184 Infantry and Commander of Detachment 1 HHSB 1-487 FA. CPT Hill was promoted to the rank of Captain on September 23, 2004. Hill deployed in August of 2004 and entered the Iraqi theater January of 2005 where he served as the Battalion’s FSO, S7 and PAO. Hill’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal 2d Award, and many more.  Hill is survived by his wife and two daughters, and his father..)(Source: CA-ARNG website

Friday

Oct 28

Kuwait

MO Guard Member Dies of Non-Combat Related Injuries

Soldier Dies from Combat Injuries

Thursday

Oct 27

Marine Killed by Enemy Fire in Ar Ramadi

Two members of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina died October 27 from an indirect fire explosion in Saqlawiyah, Iraq.  Killed were:

Lance Cpl. Robert F. Eckfield, Jr., 23, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Lance Cpl. Jared J. Kremm, 24, of Hauppage, New York.

Kremm died at the scene while Eckfield succumbed to his wounds at a nearby medical center.

IED Claims Soldier in Baghdad

IED Blast Kills PA Guard Member in Ar Ramadi

IED Blast Kills CA Guard Member in Baghdad

Wednesday

Oct 26

Two Soldiers Killed in IED Blast

Two members of the Army's 3rd Forward Support Battalion, Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia died in Rustamiyah, Iraq, on October 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV.  Killed were:

Master Sgt. Thomas A. Wallsmith, 38, of Carthage, Missouri.

Sgt. 1st Class Ramon A. Acevedoaponte, 51, of Watertown, New York.

Soldier Dies of a Non-Combat Related Cause

Staff Sgt. Lewis J. Gentry, 48, of Detroit, Michigan, died in Mosul, Iraq, on October 26, from a non-combat related cause.  Gentry was assigned to the Army's 94th Engineer Battalion, Vilseck, Germany.

Soldier Dies of Sustained in Balad

Sgt. Evan S. Parker, 25, of Arkansas, Kansas , died at Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, on October 26, of injuries sustained in Balad, Iraq, on October 23, when his dismounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces who threw an explosive device from their moving vehicle. Parker was assigned to the Army Reserve's 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment, 20th Brigade Combat Team, Honolulu, Hawaii.

IED Claims Soldier in Ashraf

Sgt. James Witkowski, 32, of Surprise, Arizona, died on October 26, near Ashraf, Iraq, of injuries sustained there earlier that day when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations.  Witkowski was assigned to the Army Reserve's 729th Transportation Company, Fresno, California.

Tuesday

Oct 25

Kuwait

Soldier Dies of a Non-Combat Related Injuries

Cpl. Benjamin D. Hoeffner, 21, of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, died in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, on October 25, of a non-combat related cause.  Hoeffner was assigned to the Army Reserve's 324th Psychological Operations Company, Aurora, Colorado.

Soldier Dies of Injuries Received in IED Blast

Soldier Killed in Vehicle Accident

Spc. Christopher T. Monroe, 19, of Kendallville, Indiana, died on October 25, in Basra, Iraq, when his 5-ton truck was involved in an automobile accident with a civilian vehicle.  Monroe was assigned to the Army Reserve's 785th Military Police Battalion, Fraser, Michigan.

Sunday

Oct 23

Marine Killed by Enemy Fire in Ar Ramadi

Lance Cpl. Jonathan R. Spears, 21, of Molino, Florida, died October 23 from enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  Spears was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Saturday

Oct 22

Soldier Dies of Injuries Received in IED Blast

Friday

Oct 21

IEDs Kill Three Marines in Al Amariyah

Lance Cpl. Kenneth J. Butler, 19, of Rowan, North Carolina, died October 21 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Al Amariyah, Iraq.  Butler was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Two members of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina died on October 21 when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device while they were conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Al Amariyah, Iraq.  Their vehicle was traveling beside a canal when the attack occurred and the two Marines were thrown from the vehicle into the water. Killed were:

Cpl. Benny G. Cockerham III, 21, of Conover, North Carolina.

Capt. Tyler B. Swisher, 35, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

IED Kills Marine in Haqlaniyah

Cpl. Seamus M. Davey, 25, of Lewis, New York, died October 21 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of Haqlaniyah, Iraq.  Davey was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Force Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Reno, Nevada.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

IED Claims Sailor in Al Anbar Province

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher W. Thompson, 25, of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, was killed in action on October 21 from an IED explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. Thompson was assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 8th Regimental Combat Team, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Thursday

Oct 20

IED Kills Three Marines in Combat Operations

Three members of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina died October 20 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Nasser Wa Salaam, Iraq. Killed were:

Staff Sergeant Richard T. Pummill, 27, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lance Cpl. Andrew D. Russoli, 21, of Greensboro, North Carolina.

Lance Cpl. Steven W. Szwydek, 20, of Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania.

Enemy Fire Claims Soldier in Hit

Sgt. Jacob D. Dones, 21, of Dimmitt, Texas, died in Hit, Iraq, on October 20, when his forward operating base was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.  Dones was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

GA Guard Member Dies of a Non-Combat Related Injury

Staff Sgt. Dennis P. Merck, 38, of Evans, Georgia, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 20, of a non-combat related injury.  Merck was assigned to the Army National Guard's 878th Engineer Battalion, Augusta, Georgia.

Wednesday

Oct 19

IED in Suicide Vehicle Kills Marine in Karabilah

Lance Cpl. Norman W. Anderson III, 21, of Parkton, Maryland, died October 19 from a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq.  Anderson was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Enemy Fire Claims Three Soldiers in Balad

Three members of the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia died in Balad, Iraq, on October 19, when their HMMWV was struck by enemy indirect fire during patrol operations.  Killed were:

Sgt. Arthur A. Mora, Jr., 23, of Pico Rivera, California.

Spc. Russell H. Nahvi, 24, of Arlington, Texas.

Spc. Jose E. Rosario, 20, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Cause

IED Claims Reservist in Tikrit

Spc. Kendall K. Frederick, 21, of Randallstown, Maryland, died near Tikrit, Iraq, on October 19, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during convoy operations.  Frederick was assigned to the Army Reserve's 983rd Engineer Battalion, Monclova, Ohio.

IEDs Claim TX Guard Member in Iskandariyah

Staff Sgt. Tommy I. Folks, Jr., 31, of Amarillo, Texas, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 19, of injuries sustained on October 18, in Iskandariyah, Iraq, when multiple improvised explosive devices detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations. Folks was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 56th Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, Amarillo, Texas.

Tuesday

Oct 18

Enemy Fire Claims Soldier in Mosul

Monday

Oct 17

Marine Killed in Non-Hostile Vehicle Accident

Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Poston, 20, of Glendale, Arizona, died October 17 from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Hit, Iraq.  Poston was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Enemy Fire Claims Two Marines in Al Rutbah

Two members of the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California died October 17 from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Rutbah, Iraq. Killed were:

Lance Cpl. Daniel Scott R. Bubb, 19, of Grottoes, Virginia.

Lance Cpl. Chad R. Hildebrandt, 22, of Springer, New Mexico.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Marines' unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II MEF (Forward).

Kuwait

Soldier Dies of a Non-Combat Related Cause

Sunday

Oct 16

Afghanistan

Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Injuries

Pfc. Joseph Cruz, 22, of Whittier, California, died in Bagram, Afghanistan, on October 16, of non-combat related injuries sustained in an accident at Organ-E, Afghanistan, on October 15.  Cruz was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy.

Saturday

Oct 15

IED Claims Marine in Saqlawiyah

Sgt. Mark P. Adams, 24, of Morrisville, North Carolina, died October 15 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Saqlawiyah, Iraq.  He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's II Marine Expeditionary Force Augmentation Command Element, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Adams was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II MEF (Forward).

Five Soldiers Killed by IED in Ar Ramadi

Five members of the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on October 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. Killed were:

Spc. Thomas H. Byrd, 21, of Cochise, Arizona.

Spc. Jeffrey W. Corban, 30, of Elkhart, Indiana.

Spc. Richard A. Hardy, 24, of Newcomerstown, Ohio.

Staff Sgt. Vincent E. Summers, 38, of South Haven, Michigan.

Spc. Timothy D. Watkins, 24, of San Bernardino, California.

Friday

Oct 14

Three MD Guard Members Killed in Collision

Three members of the Army National Guard's 243rd Engineer Company, Baltimore, Maryland, died in Al Taji, Iraq, on October 14, when they were conducting convoy operations and an 18-wheel tractor trailer accidentally struck the rear of their HMWWV, starting a fire and causing ammunition to detonate.  Killed were:

Spc. Samuel M. Boswell, 20, of Elkridge, Maryland.

Spc. Bernard L. Ceo, 23, of Baltimore, Maryland.

Sgt. Brian R. Conner, 36, of Baltimore, Maryland.

Kenya

Sailor Killed in Vehicle Accident

Petty Officer 3rd Class Fabricio Moreno, 26, of Brooklyn, New York, was killed October 14 in a single-vehicle accident in Manda Bay, Kenya.  Moreno was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, Port Hueneme, California.  He was deployed as part of a Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa construction team.

Thursday

Oct 13

Bahrain

Sailor Dies in Motorcycle Accident

Petty Officer 1st Class Howard E. Babcock IV, 33, of Houston, Texas, died in a motorcycle accident on October 13 in Bahrain.  Babcock was assigned to the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station in Bahrain.

Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Injuries

Spc. Scott J. Mullen, 22, of Tucson, Arizona, died in Makati City, The Republic of the Philippines, on October 14, of injuries sustained there from a non-combat related accident on October 13.  Mullen was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

TN Guard Member Killed by IED

Spc. Robert W. Tucker, 20, of Hilham, Tennessee, died in Ad Dujayl, Iraq, on October 13, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Tucker was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Jamestown, Tennessee.

Wednesday

Oct 12

Marine Dies of Injuries Sustained When Vehicle Hit an Anti-Tank Mine

Master Sgt. Kenneth E. Hunt, Jr., 40, of Tucson, Arizona, died October 12 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas. Hunt died from wounds received July 24 when the vehicle he was riding in struck an anti-tank mine while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Taqaddum, Iraq. Hunt was assigned to Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

Two Soldiers Killed in Vehicle Accident

Two members of the 24th Transportation Company, 541st Maintenance Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas, died in Balad, Iraq, on October 12, when their military vehicle collided with a civilian vehicle and overturned. Killed were:

Sgt. Donald D. Furman, 30, of Burton, South Carolina.

Sgt. Lorenzo Ponce Ruiz, 26, of El Paso, Texas.

Soldier Dies of a Non-Combat Related Injury

Tuesday

Oct 11

IED Claims Soldier in Muqdadiyah

Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Kimmell, 30, of Paxton, Indiana, died in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, on October 11, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Kimmell was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Monday

Oct 10

Soldier Dies of Injuries Received in IED Blast

Two Soldiers Killed in IED Blast in Ar Ramadi

Two members of the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on October 10, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations.  Killed were:

Photos courtesy of The Bayonet (Ft. Benning)

IEDs Claim Two Guard Members in Baghdad

Spc. Jeremy M. Hodge, 20, of Ridgeway, Ohio, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 10, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Hodge was assigned to the Army National Guard's 612th Engineer Battalion, Tiffin, Ohio.

Sunday

Oct 9

IED Claims Marine in Ar Ramadi

Lance Cpl. Sergio H. Escobar, 18, of Pasadena, California, died Oct. 9 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  Escobar was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Enemy Fire Kills Soldier on Reconnaissance

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received in Enemy Attack

Staff Sgt. Troy S. Ezernack, 39, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, died in Qalat, Afghanistan, on October 9, of injuries sustained earlier that day when his combat patrol was attacked by enemy forces using a grenade.  Ezernack was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

Friday

Oct 7

Afghanistan

Landmine Claims Soldier in Kandahar

Pfc. Benny S. Franklin, 19, of Hammond, Louisiana, died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on October 7, of injuries sustained earlier that day in Helmand, Afghanistan, when he stepped on a landmine during patrol operations.  Franklin was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Thursday

Oct 6

Roadside Bomb Blasts Kill Six Marines

Six Marines were killed in action by improvised explosive devices October 6 in Iraq. Two of the Marines (McVicker and Raines) died during a combat logistics patrol near Al Qaim, Iraq. The other four died near Al Karmah, Iraq.

The two Marines that were killed by an improvised explosive device near Al Quaim were assigned to Combat Service Support Detachment 21, 2nd Force Service Support Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Cherry Point, North Carolina.  As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom he was attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). They were:

Lance Cpl. Daniel M. McVicker, 20, of Alliance, Ohio.

Lance Cpl. Carl L. Raines II, 20, of Coffee, Alabama.

The other four Marines, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. (Regimental Combat Team 8), They were killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Al Karmah, Iraq.  Killed were:

Lance Cpl. Shayne M. Cabino, 19, of Canton, Massachusetts.

Cpl. Nicholas O. Cherava, 21, of Ontonagon, Michigan.

Pfc. Jason L. Frye, 19, of Landisburg, Pennsylvania.

Lance Cpl. Patrick B. Kenny, 20, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Illness

Sgt. 1st Class Moses E. Armstead, 44, of Rochester, New York, died at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, on October 6, of a non-combat related illness identified on October 5, as he was returning from leave status and preparing to redeploy to Afghanistan.  Armstead was assigned to the Army's 16th Ordnance Battalion, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

IED Claims AZ Guard Member in Baghdad

Spc. Jeremiah W. Robinson, 20, of Mesa, Arizona, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 6, of injuries sustained there on October 5, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations.  Robinson was assigned to the Army National Guard's 860th Military Police Company, Phoenix, Arizona.

Tuesday

Oct 4

Marine Killed by IED in Ar Ramadi

Pfc. Andrew D. Bedard, 19, of Missoula, Montana, died October 4 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  Bedard was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Sailor Falls from Helicopter During Training Mission

Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin, 32, of Hugo, Oklahoma, was killed October 4, when he fell out of a U. S. Navy MH-53 helicopter during a regularly scheduled training mission in the Central Arabian Gulf. Joplin was assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, based in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Monday

Oct 3

Marine Killed by IED in Baghdad

Cpl. John R. Stalvey, 22, of Conroe, Texas, died October 3 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Iron Fist in Karabilah, Iraq.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Three Soldiers Killed by IED in Al Haqlaniyah

Three members of the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in Al Haqlaniyah, Iraq, on October 3, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. Killed were:

Sgt. Bryan W. Large, 31, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Spc. Jacob T. Vanderbosch, 21, of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. 

Pfc. Roberto C. Baez, 19, of Tampa, Florida.

Reservist Dies from Non-Combat Related Injuries

Sgt. Larry W. Pankey, Jr., 34, of Morrison, Colorado, died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on October 3, of non-combat related injuries sustained in Balad, Iraq, on September 23.  Pankey was assigned to the Army Reserve's 467th Engineer Battalion, Greenwood, Mississippi. 

TX Guard Member Dies of Non-Combat Related Injuries

Sunday

Oct 2

Soldier Dies of a Non-Combat Related Injury

Staff Sgt. Timothy J. Roark, 29, of Houston, Texas, died in Balad, Iraq, on October 2, of a non-combat related injury.  Roark was assigned to the Army's 4th Battalion, 123rd Aviation Regiment, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Saturday

Oct 1

Events as reported by the American Forces Press Service

U. S. Launches 'Iron Fist' Offensive in Western Iraq

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2005 - A force of about 1,000 Marines, soldiers and sailors from Regimental Combat Team 2 today mounted an operation against a known terrorist sanctuary in the western Anbar province town of Sadah, in the al Qaim region approximately 12 kilometers from the Syrian border, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported today.

Operation Kabda Bil Hadid, or "Iron Fist" in English, began in the early morning hours to root out al Qaeda and Iraqi terrorists operating in the area and to disrupt terrorist support systems in and around the city.

For the past several months terrorists within Sadah have escalated their intimidation and murder campaign against the local populace and city government officials, officials said. The resulting effect was an increased ability to move freely within the area and a base for them to launch attacks against innocent civilians, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces, they said.

By interdicting foreign fighters flowing in from the Syrian border, the operation will also serve as a way to provide security for the Oct. 15 constitutional referendum, officials said.

As with all coalition operations, strict measures are being taken to prevent civilian casualties and unnecessary collateral damage to property, officials reported. (Compiled from a Multinational Force Iraq news release.)

Separate Attacks Claim Two Members of 3rd ID

Staff Sgt. Jens E. Schelbert, 31, of New Orleans, Louisiana, died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on October 1, when his forward operating base was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.  Schelbert was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia.

Spc. Joshua J. Kynoch, 23, of Santa Rosa, California, died in Bayji, Iraq, on October 1, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during convoy operations.  Kynoch was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

NM Guard Member Killed by IED in Baghdad

Sgt. Marshall A. Westbrook, 43, of Farmington, New Mexico, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 1, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Westbrook was assigned to the Army National Guard's 126th Military Police Company, Albuquerque, New Mexico.