dib's List of U.S. Casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq

We mourn the loss of service personnel killed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Our prayers are with their families and loved ones.

The following is a list of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq in November 2005, as reported by the Department of Defense.

November 2005

Wednesday

Nov 30

U.S. MARINES

Enemy Fire Claims Two Marines in Fallujah

Two members of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina died November 30 of wounds sustained from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. Killed were:

Cpl. Joshua D. Snyder, 20, of Hampstead, Maryland.

Cpl. William G. Taylor, 26, of Macon, Georgia.

Marine Killed in Non-Hostile Vehicle Accident

Staff Sgt. William D. Richardson, 30, of Houston, Texas, died November 30 of wounds sustained from a non-hostile vehicle accident near Al Taqaddum, Iraq. Richardson was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-372, Marine Wing Support Group-37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Non-Combat Related Injuries

Sgt. Grzegorz Jakoniuk, 25, of Schiller Park, Illinois, died in Taji, Iraq, on November 30, from non-combat related injuries. Jakoniuk was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Tuesday

Nov 29

U.S. ARMY

Two Soldiers Killed by IED Blast in Taji

Two members of the 1st Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas died in Taji, Iraq on November 29, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. Killed were:

Sgt. Donald J. Hasse, 28, of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Sgt. Jerry W. Mills, Jr., 23, of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Saturday

Nov 26

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed in Combat by IED Blast

Master Sgt. Brett E. Angus, 40, of St. Paul, Minnesota, died November 26 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of Camp Taqaddum, Iraq. Angus was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-372, Marine Wing Support Group-37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Friday

Nov 25

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

IA Guard Member Killed by IED

Spc. Gregory L. Tull, 20, of Pocahontas, Iowa, died in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on November 25, at approximately 2 p.m. when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. Tull was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, Storm Lake, Iowa.

Tull was born in Phoenix, Arizona in December 1984 and graduated from Pocohontas Area High School in 2003. He attended South Dakota State University before volunteering for Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2004. Tull enlisted in the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, Iowa Army National Guard in April 2002 and was qualified as an Forward Observer. Tull is survived by his parents, his brother, and four grandparents.

Thursday

Nov 24

U.S. ARMY

Two MPs Killed in Vehicle Accident Caused by IED Blast

Two members of the Army's 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Washington died in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 24, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV causing it to flip into a canal. Killed were:

Pfc. Marc A. Delgado, 21, of Lithia, Florida.

Staff Sgt. Steven C. Reynolds, 32, of Jordan, New York.

IED Blast Kills Soldier on Patrol in Hit

Spc. Javier A. Villanueva, 25, of Temple, Texas, died in Al Asad, Iraq, on November 24, of injuries sustained in Hit, Iraq, on November 23, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations. Villanueva was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

Soldier Killed in Tank Roll Over

Sgt. 1st Class Eric P. Pearrow, 40, of Peoria, Illinois, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 24, when his M1A2 Abrams tank accidentally rolled over into a canal. Pearrow was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Illness

Pfc. Ryan D. Christensen, 22, of Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, died at the Medical University of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, on November 24, of a non-combat related illness identified in Balad, Iraq, on November 10. Christensen was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Wednesday

Nov 23

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Non-Combat Related Injuries

Spc. Allen J. Knop, 22, of Willowick, Ohio, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 23, from non-combat related injuries. Knop was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Two Soldiers Killed - Possibly by Friendly Fire

Two members of the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky died in Baghdad, Iraq on November 23, when their unit came under direct fire during combat operations. The circumstances of the soldiers' deaths are under investigation as a potential friendly-fire incident. Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Aram J. Bass, 25, of Niagara Falls, New York.

Sgt. William B. Meeuwsen, 24, of Kingwood, Texas.

Tuesday

Nov 22

Afghanistan

U.S. ARMY

IED Blast Kills Soldier on Patrol

Spc. Matthew P. Steyart, 21, of Mount Shasta, California, died in Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan, on November 22, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during patrol operations. Steyart was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy.

Source: Stars and Stripes

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Non-Combat Related Illness

Sgt. Denis J. Gallardo, 22, of St. Petersburg, Florida, died in Tal Afar, Iraq, on November 22, from a non-combat related illness. Gallardo was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

IED Blast Claims MI Guard Member

Pfc. John W. Dearing, 21, of Hazel Park, Michigan, died in Habbaniyah, Iraq on November 21, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Dearing was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Saginaw, Michigan.

Sunday

Nov 20

Seychelles

U.S. NAVY

Sailor Drowns in Seychelles

Petty Officer 3rd Class Emory J. Turpin, 23, of Dahlonega, Georgia, died November 20 when he drowned in the Seychelles. Turpin was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 currently deployed to the Seychelles.

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed in Enemy Attack

Sgt. Dominic J. Sacco, 32, of Albany, New York, died in Taji, Iraq, on November 20, when his M1A1 Abrams tank was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Sacco was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Saturday

Nov 19

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed by IED in Hadithah

Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas, 20, of El Paso, Texas died November 19 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of Hadithah, Iraq. Terrazas was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 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).

Marine Killed by Enemy Fire in Al Karmah

Lance Cpl. Tyler J. Troyer, 21, of Tangent, Oregon, died November 19 from wounds received as a result of small arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Al Karmah, Iraq. Troyer was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed by Enemy Fire in Mosul

Pvt. Christopher M. Alcozer, 21, of DeKalb, Illinois, died in Mosul, Iraq, on November 19, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and grenades. Alcozer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Soldier Killed in Combat by IED

Master Sgt. Anthony R. C. Yost, 39, of Flint, Michigan, died in Mosul, Iraq on November 19, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his position during combat operations. Yost was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Four Soldiers Killed by IED Blast in Bayji

Four members of the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky died in Bayji, Iraq on November 19, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. Killed were:

Cpl. Jonathan F. Blair, 21, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Spc. Dominic J. Hinton, 24, of Jacksonville, Texas.

Staff Sgt. Edward Karolasz, 25, of Powder Springs, New Jersey.

1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, 23, of Freehold, New Jersey.

Soldier Killed by IED Blast in Bayji

Spc. Michael J. Idanan, 21, of Chula Vista, California, died in Bayji, Iraq on November 19, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Idanan was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Friday

Nov 18

Kuwait

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

CO Guard Member Killed in Vehicle Accident

Sgt. Luis R. Reyes, 26, of Aurora, Colorado, died en route to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, on November 18, when the bus in which he was riding rolled over. Reyes was assigned to the Army National Guard's 947th Engineer Company, Durango, Colorado.

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received in Vehicle Accident

Pfc. Anthony A. Gaunky, 19, of Sparta, Wisconsin, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, died on November 18 of injuries sustained in Bayji, Iraq, when his HMMWV was involved in a vehicle accident during convoy operations. Gaunky was assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Another soldier, Spc. Vernon R. Widner, died as a result of the incident the previous day.

Thursday

Nov 17

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed in Vehicle Accident

Spc. Vernon R. Widner, 34, of Redlands, California, in Tikrit, Iraq, died on November 17 of injuries sustained in Bayji, Iraq, when his HMMWV was involved in a vehicle accident during convoy operations. Widner was assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Another soldier, Pfc. Anthony A. Gaunky, was also injured in the incident and died the following day.

Soldier Killed in Vehicle Rollover

Staff Sgt. Ivan V. Alarcon, 23, of Jerome, Idaho, died in Tal Afar, Iraq, on November 17, when his HMMWV accidentally rolled over during combat operations. Alarcon was assigned to the Army's 473rd Quartermaster Company, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

Wednesday

Nov 16

U.S. MARINES

Five Marines Killed in Operation Steel Curtain

Five members of the Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California died November 16 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Steel Curtain in Ubaydi, Iraq. Killed were:

Lance Cpl. Roger W. Deeds, 24, of Biloxi, Mississippi.

2nd Lt. Donald R. McGlothlin, 26, of Lebanon, Virginia.

Cpl. Jeffry A. Rogers, 21, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Cpl. Joshua J. Ware, 20, of Apache, Oklahoma.

Deeds, McGlothlin, Rogers and Ware all died as a result of enemy small arms fire.

Lance Cpl. John A. Lucente, 19, of Grass Valley, California died from wounds sustained from an enemy hand grenade.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

IED Claims Marine in Hadithah

Sgt. Jeremy E. Murray, 27, of Atwater, Ohio, died November 16 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of Hadithah, Iraq. Murray was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 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

Fourth Member of HMMWV Hit by IED Dies

Spc. Alexis Roman-Cruz, 33, of Brandon, Florida, in Balad, Iraq, on November 16. Roman-Cruz was the fourth member of the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to die of injuries sustained in Taji, Iraq, on November 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations.

Soldier Killed by Enemy Fire

Pvt. Dylan R. Paytas, 20, of Freedom, Pennsylvania, died in Baqubah, Iraq, on November 16, from injuries sustained from multiple gunshot wounds. Paytas was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia.

Paytas had more than 50 combat patrol missions as a .50-caliber machine gunner. He was responsible for providing combat patrol security for the battalion commander and the command sergeant major of 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion. In a memorial service held in Iraq, Capt. Keith Clipp, the company commander, said Paytas never complained about deploying, doing his job or facing challenges.

Paytas joined the Army after graduating from high school in 2003. He was stationed with the 317th Engineer Battalion after becoming a combat engineer. He attended Airborne School in 2004, and there met Spc. Dominic Valentino who said, at a memorial service, "(Paytas) was never in a bad mood, no matter what the circumstances. His goals and achievements drove me to set my own goals. He was always one step ahead of me in everything, which gave me incentive to excel."

Paytas is survived by his parents, two sisters, a grandmother, and other family members.

Source: DoD and The Bayonet

Tuesday

Nov 15

Afghanistan

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed by IED During Supply Mission

Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner, 36, of Waukegan, Illinois, died in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, on November 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during a supply distribution mission. Ochsner was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed by IED in Al Karmah

Lance Cpl. Nickolas D. Schiavoni, 26, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, died November 15 from a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Al Karmah, Iraq. Schiavoni was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

U.S. ARMY

Three Soldiers Killed in HMMWV by IED

Three members of the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died of injuries sustained in Taji, Iraq, on November 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. James E. Estep, 26, of Leesburg, Florida.

Spc. Matthew J. Holley, 21, of San Diego, California.

Pfc. Travis J. Grigg, 24, of Inola, Oklahoma.

A fourth soldier, Spc. Alexis Roman-Cruz, was injured in the blast and died the following day, November 16.

Monday

Nov 14

U.S. MARINES

Three Marines Killed in Steel Curtain Operations

Three members of the Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California died on November 14 while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). The Marines were:

Cpl. John M. Longoria, 21, of Nixon, Texas, died November 14 of wounds sustained from small arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Steel Curtain in New Ubaydi, Iraq.

Two of the Marines that died on November 14 were killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Steel Curtain in New Ubaydi, Iraq. They were:

Lance Cpl. Christopher M. McCrackin, 20, of Liverpool, Texas.

Maj. Ramon J. Mendoza Jr., 37, of Columbus, Ohio.

Saturday

Nov 12

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Killed in Vehicle Rollover

Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Sutherland, 33, of West Deptford, New Jersey, died in Al Qadisiyah, Iraq, on November 12, when his Stryker military vehicle accidentally rolled over. Sutherland was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Friday

Nov 11

U.S. ARMY

IED Claims Two Marines in Al Amiriyah

Two members of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California, died November 12 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Amiriyah, Iraq. Killed were:

Lance Cpl. David A. Mendez Ruiz, 20, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Lance Cpl. Scott A. Zubowski, 20, of North Manchester, Indiana.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

U.S. ARMY

Two Soldiers Killed in Vehicle Collision

Two members of the 40th Transportation Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, 593rd Corps Support Group, Fort Lewis, Washington died in Kirkut, Iraq, on November 11, when their convoy vehicle was involved in a collision. Killed were:

Cpl. Donald E. Fisher II, 21, of Avon, Massachusetts.

Pfc. Antonio Mendezsanchez, 22, of Rincon, Puerto Rico.

Soldier Killed in IED Blast

Sgt. Tyrone L. Chisholm, 27, of Savannah, Georgia, died in Tal Afar, Iraq, on November 11, when multiple improvised explosive devices detonated near his M1A2 Abrams Tank. Chisholm was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Thursday

Nov 10

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed in Combat in Karabilah

Lance Cpl. Daniel F. Swaim, 19, of Yadkinville, North Carolina, died November 10 of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Steel Curtain in Karabilah, Iraq. Swaim was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. ARMY RESERVES & ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

IL Reservist and WY Guard Member Fall to Enemy Fire

Two soldiers died of injuries sustained on November 10 in Al Khalidiyah, Iraq, where their M1A1 Abrams tank was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Michael C. Parrott, 49, of Timnath, Colorado, who died in Balad, Iraq. Parrott was assigned to the Army National Guard's Joint Forces Headquarters, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Sgt. Joshua A. Terando, 27, of Morris, Illinois, who died in Al Taqaddum, Iraq. Terando was a Reservist assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Washington, Pennsylvania.

Tuesday

Nov 8

U.S. MARINES

Marine Killed by IED Blast in Rutbah

Lance Cpl. Jeremy P. Tamburello, 19, of Denver, Colorado, died November 8 from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations just west of Rutbah, Iraq. Tamburello was assigned to the 1st Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received in IED Blast

"A true warrior, a true leader, a true hero."

Lt. Col. G. Brito

Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe, 35, of Oviedo, Florida, died on November 8 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas from wounds suffered October 17 in Samarra, Iraq. He was on patrol in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when an improvised explosive devise detonated near his vehicle. Cashe was assigned to 1st Battallion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Benning, Georgia. He is the fourth member of his unit to die from the IED attack. Staff Sgt. George Thomas Alexander, Jr., 34, of Clanton, Alabama died October 22; Sgt. Michael Tremain Robertson, 28, of Houston, Texas, died October 25; and Spc. Darren Howe, of Beatrice, Nebraska, died November 3 at Brook Army Medical Center.

Cashe was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. The narrative for the award explained that Cashe was drenched in fuel after the IED blast ignited the Bradley fighting vehicle's fuel cell. After the vehicle came to a stop and erupted in flames, Cashe helped the driver out of the hatch and extinguished his flames. In the back of the Bradley were six more soldiers and a translator. Flames engulfed the Bradley. The narrative states, "Cashe rushed to the back of the vehicle, reached into the hot flames and started pulling out his Soldiers. The flames gripped his fuel-soaked uniform. Flames quickly spread all over his body. Despite the terrible pain, Cashe placed the injured soldier on the ground and returned to the burning vehicle to retrieve another burning soldier, all the while, he was still on fire."

"Cashe was a hero in the truest sense of the word, for his actions clearly prevented several soldiers from dying that night," said Lt. Col. Gary Brito, commander of Cashe's unit.

At the memorial service in Iraq, Brito said, "Being in combat strikes fear in all of us at times, but Cashe conquered that fear to take care of troops. He always led from the front and always put the welfare of his soldiers first."

Cashe is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. Source: DoD and The Bayonet

Monday

Nov 7

U.S. ARMY

Four Soldiers Killed in Baghdad by IED

Four members of the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado died in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 7, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their dismounted patrol. Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Brian L. Freeman, 27, of Caledonia, Mississippi.

Spc. Robert C. Pope II, 22, of East Islip, New York.

Pfc. Mario A. Reyes, 19, of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

1st Lt. Justin S. Smith, 28, of Lansing, Michigan.

Sunday

Nov 6

U.S. ARMY RESERVE

Soldier Killed by IED in Ad Dawr

Capt. Joel E. Cahill, 34, of Norwood, Massachusetts, died in Ad Dawr, Iraq, on November 6, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. He was the commander of B Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. Cahill attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he earned an ROTC commission in 1999. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Soldiers Medal. Cahill is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and is survived by his wife, two daughters, his parents, a brother and a sister.

Source: DoD and The Bayonet

Saturday

Nov 5

U.S. ARMY RESERVE

Reservist Killed in Vehicle Accident

Lt. Col. Thomas A. Wren, 44, of Lorton, Virginia, died in Tallil, Iraq, on November 5, when a civilian vehicle pulled in front of his HMMWV causing it to roll-over. Wren was an Army Reservist assigned to the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq in Tallil, Iraq.

Friday

Nov 4

U.S. MARINES

Marine Dies from Injuries Received in IED Blast

Gunnery Sgt. Darrell W. Boatman, 38, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died on November 4 at Landstuhl Reginal Medical Center, Germany, from wounds sustained on November 2 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Habbaniyah, Iraq. Boatman was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. ARMY

Two Soldiers Killed in IED Blast in Baghdad

Two members of the 26th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia died in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 4, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during convoy operations. Killed were:

Capt. James M. Gurbisz, 25, of Eatontown, New Jersey.

Pfc. Dustin Allan Yancey, 22, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, born in Cedar Rapids on January 4, 1983 and grew up in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha until his family moved to South Carolina in 1991. He graduated from Goose Creek (S.C.) High School in 2001, where he participated in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (Jr. ROTC) program, band, chorus, soccer, and football. Yancey enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 2003 and was qualified as a HVAC maintainer. He was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 26th Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Included among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal. Yancey is survived by his mother and father, two sisters, and two brothers.

Source: Iowa ARNG PR

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

MI Guard Member Killed by Land Mine

Spc. Timothy D. Brown, 23, of Cedar Springs, Michigan, died in Habbaniyah, Iraq, on November 4, when a land mine detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Brown was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Saginaw, Michigan.

Thursday

Nov 3

U.S. ARMY

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received in October IED Blast

Spc. Darren D. Howe, 21, of Beatrice, Nebraska, died at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on November 3, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October 17, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Howe was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. He joined the Reserves after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He subsequently transferred to active duty. Following graduation from Airborne School, Howe was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.

Howe was reportedly driving the vehicle when it struck the IED. He is the third member of his unit to die from the blast. The other two were Staff Sgt. George Thomas Alexander, Jr., 34, of Clanton, Alabama and Sgt. Michael Tremain Robertson, 28, of Houston who died October 25 at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. Howe is survived by his wife, stepdaughter and son.

Source: DoD and Bayonet

Enemy Action Claims Soldier in Baghdad

Staff Sgt. Jason A. Fegler, 24, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 4, during combat operations. Fegler was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

IED Blast Claims Soldier in Al Anbar

Capt. Jeffrey P. Toczylowski, 30, of Upper Moreland, Pennsylvania, died in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on November 3, from injuries sustained during combat operations. Toczylowski was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, Panzer Kaserne, Germany.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

IED Blast Kills IL Guard Member in Ashraf

Staff Sgt. Kyle B. Wehrly, 28, of Galesburg, Illinois, died in Ashraf, Iraq, on November 3, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during patrol operations. Wehrly was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery, Macomb, Illinois.

OH Guard Member Dies from Non-Combat Related Cause

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel J. Pratt, 48, of Youngstown, Ohio, died in An Nasiriyah, Iraq, on November 3, from a non-combat related cause. Pratt was assigned to the Army National Guard's 211th Maintenance Company, Newark, Ohio.

Wednesday

Nov 2

Events as reported by the American Forces Press Service

Two Soldiers Killed, Another Injured in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2005 - A soldier from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, died from wounds suffered when his patrol came under attack by terrorists near Balad, Iraq, today, military officials reported.

Another soldier injured in the attack was transported to a nearby medical facility and treated for his wounds.

During the fight, a gunman was quickly killed after throwing a hand grenade at the patrol, and another fled into a nearby building and continued to engage the soldiers with small-arms fire.

U. S. Air Force aircraft were called in and dropped two bombs, killing the remaining gunman and ending the fight. Elsewhere, a Task Force Baghdad soldier was killed when a patrol struck a roadside bomb south of Baghdad today. The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

U.S. MARINES

Crew Killed in Helicopter Crash

The two man crew of a AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter died November 2 when their helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and stabilization operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Both Marines were with Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II MEF (Forward). Killed were:

Maj. Gerald M. Bloomfield II, 38, of Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Capt. Michael D. Martino, 32, of Fairfax, Virginia.

U.S. ARMY

Enemy Action Claims Soldier

Spc. Dennis J. Ferderer, Jr., 20, of New Salem, North Dakota, died in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, on November 2, when enemy forces threw a hand grenade at his HMMWV during convoy operations. Ferderer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. He joined the Army in June 2003 and served as a Bradley fighting vehicle driver, humvee driver and radio telephone operator while deployed in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. Howe is survived by his mother and father of New Salem, North Dakota.

Source: DoD and The Bayonet

Three Soldiers Killed in Baghdad by IED

Three members of the Army's 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky died near Baghdad, Iraq, on November 2, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. Killed were:

Spc. Joshua J. Munger, 22, of Maysville, Missouri.

Spc. Benjamin A. Smith, 21, of Hudson, Wisconsin.

Pfc. Tyler R. MacKenzie, 20, of Evans, Colorado.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

VT Guard Member Killed in Ar Ramadi by IED

2nd Lt. Mark J. Procopio, 28, of Stowe, Vermont, died on November 2, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Procopio was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment, Jericho, Vermont.

Tuesday

Nov 1

U.S. MARINES

IED Blast Claims Two Marine in Ar Ramadi

Sgt. Daniel A. Tsue, 27, of Honolulu, Hawaii, died November 1 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Tsue was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Force Service Support Group, II MEF (Forward). A native of Hawaii and graduate of Kahuku High school, Tsue enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1998. He began his career serving as an Avionics Technician working with Air Traffic Control equipment. Seeking greater responsibility, he volunteered for Marine Security Guard duty, in conjunction with the State Department protecting U.S. embassies overseas. After serving tours in the Middle East and Asia, Tsue volunteered for and was accepted to the elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Military Occupation Specialty. Tsue was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant on November 1 for outstanding performance of duty while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Tsue is survived by his parents.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Allan M. Cundanga Espiritu, 28, of Oxnard, California, died November 1 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Espiritu was assigned to 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward), II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Note: Silver Star is a DoD Photo.

See this month's report of casualties.

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