Saturday

Dec 31

CA Guard Member Killed in Mortar Attack

Friday

Dec 30

Three separate attacks claim three members of the 101st Airborne Division.

IED Claims Soldier in Bayji

Pvt. Jonathan R. Pfender, 22, of Evansville, Indiana, died in Bayji, Iraq, on December 30, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during patrol operations.  Pfender was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Soldier on Patrol in Baghdad Killed by IED

Exploding Cache Kills Soldier in Balad

Thursday

Dec 29

Small Arms Fire Claims Soldier

Pfc. George A. Lutz, II, 25, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 29, when his dismounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Lutz was assigned to the Army's 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Soldier Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

Spc. Prince K. Teewia, 27, of Durham, North Carolina, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 29, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.  Teewia was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Wednesday

Dec 28

Afghanistan

Soldier Killed in Vehicle Rollover

Pfc. Jason D. Hasenauer, 21, of Hilton, New York, died near Kandahar, Afghanistan, on December 28, when his HMMWV accidentally rolled over during patrol operations.  Hasenauer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Soldier Killed by Detonated IED in Afghanistan

1st Sgt. Tobias C. Meister, 30, of Jenks, Oklahoma, died south of Asadabad, Afghanistan on December 28, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat patrol operations.  Meister was assigned to the Army Reserve's 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.

Soldier Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

Spc. Aaron M. Forbes, 24, of Oak Island, North Carolina, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 28, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.  Forbes was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Tuesday

Dec 27

Two Soldiers Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

Two members of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 27, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their dismounted patrol. Killed were:

Spc. Lance S. Sage, 26, of Hempstead, New York.

Pvt. Joshua M. Morberg, 20, of Sparks, Nevada.

Monday

Dec 26

Helicopter Crew Killed in Mid-Air Collision over Baghdad

Two members of the 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, died in Baghdad, Iraq on December 26, when their Apache helicopter collided with another military aircraft in mid-air and then crashed. Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer Richard M. Salter, 44, of Cypress, Texas.

Chief Warrant Officer Isaias E. Santos, 28, of Ancon, Panama.

Enemy Fire Claims Soldier in Baghdad

Sgt. Dominic R. Coles, 25, of Jesup, Georgia, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 26, when his HMMWV came under attack during combat operations by enemy forces using small arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.  Coles was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Enemy Fire Claims MI Guard Member

Sunday

Dec 25

Detonated IED Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Spc. Anthony O. Cardinal, 20, of Muskegon, Michigan, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 25, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.  Cardinal was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

IED Attack Kills Soldier in Baghdad

Spc. Sergio Gudino, 22, of Pomona, California, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 25, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A1 tank during combat operations.  Gudino was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Saturday

Dec 24

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received in Baqubah

Soldier Dies from Injuries Received in Enemy Attack

Sgt. Myla L. Maravillosa, 24, of Wahiawa, Hawaii, died in Kirkuk, Iraq, on December 24, of injuries sustained earlier that day in Al Hawijah, Iraq, when her HMMWV was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades.  Maravillosa was assigned to the Army Reserve's 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

Friday

Dec 23

Two Reservists Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

Two members of the Army Reserve's 351st Civil Affairs Command, Mountain View, California died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 23, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. Killed were:

Sgt. Regina C. Reali, 25, of Freso, California.

Spc. Cheyenne C. Willey, 36, of Fremont, California.

Thursday

Dec 22

Two Soldiers Killed by IED Blast in Taji

Two members of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 22, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their position during a dismounted patrol. Killed were:

1st Lt. Benjamin T. Britt, 24, of Wheeler, Texas.

Spc. William Lopez-Feliciano, 33, of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico.

Tuesday

Dec 20

Two Soldiers Killed by IED Blast in Taji

Two members of the 1st Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia, died in Taji, Iraq on December 20, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations.  Killed were:

1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary, 24, of Dallas, Pennsylvania.

Spc. Richard Junior D. Naputi, 24, of Talofofo, Guam.

Monday

Dec 19

Soldier Killed by IED Blast

Staff Sgt. Johnnie V. Mason, 32, of Rio Vista, Texas, died in Al Mahmudiyah,Iraq on December 19, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Mason was assigned to the 717th Ordnance Company, 184th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Detachment), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Sunday

Dec 18

Enemy Fire Claims Marine in Ar Ramadi

Lance Cpl. Samuel Tapia, 20, of San Benito, Texas, died December 18 from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Tapia 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).

Friday

Dec 16

Marine Dies from Non-Hostile Gunshot Wound

Cpl. Adam R. Fales, 21, of Cullman, Alabama, died December 16 from a non-hostile gunshot wound in Fallujah, Iraq.  Fales was assigned to Combat Service Support Detachment-21, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Thursday

Dec 15

Afghanistan

Enemy Fire Claims Soldier in Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class John D. Morton, 31, of Stanton, Kentucky, died in Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan on December 15, when his dismounted patrol came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Morton was assigned to the 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

IED Blast Claims Soldier in Balad

Spc. Joseph A. Lucas, 23, of Augusta, Georgia, died in Balad, Iraq on December 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.  Lucas was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Soldier Dies of Non-Combat Related Cause

Sgt. Timothy R. Boyce, 29, of North Salt Lake, Utah, died at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, on December 15, of a non-combat related cause.  Boyce was assigned to the Maintenance Troop, Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Wednesday

Dec 14

Marine Dies from Injuries Received in IED Blast  in Fallujah

Cpl. Michael B. Presley, 21, of Batesville, Mississippi, died December 14 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany of wounds sustained from a suicide, vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq, on December 12.  Presley was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Enemy Action Claims Marine in Ar Ramadi

Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Pospisil, 35, of Andover, Minnesota, died December14 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  Pospisil was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Tuesday

Dec 13

Four Soldiers Killed in Taji by IED

Four members of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Riley, Kansas died in Taji, Iraq, on December13, where they were conducting combat operations when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV.  Killed were:

Sgt. Brian C. Karim, 22, of Talcott, W. Virginia.

Spc. James C. Kesinger, 32, of Pharr, Texas.

Spc. Peter J. Navarro, 20, of Wildwood, Missouri.

Staff Sgt. Michael S. Zyla, 32, of Elgin, Oregon.

Saturday

Dec 12

IED Blast Kills Soldier on Patrol in Baghdad

Spc. Jared W. Kubasak, 25, of Rocky Mount, Virginia, died in Baghdad, Iraq on December 12, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during patrol operations.  Kubasak was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

IED Blast Killed Soldier in Abrams Tank

Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Mitchell, 28, of Evansville, Indiana, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 12, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A1 Abrams tank during combat operations.  Mitchell was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Soldier Takes a Fatal Fall from Guard Tower

Spc. Lex S. Nelson, 21, of Salt Lake City, Utah, died in Tikrit, Iraq on December 12, when he fell from a guard tower.  Nelson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Sunday

Dec 11

Soldier Killed by IED Blast  in Baghdad

Sgt. 1st Class James S. Moudy, 37, of Newark, Delaware, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 11, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.   Moudy was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

PA Guard Member Killed by IED in Ramadi

"Staff Sgt. Bennett was a tremendous warrior and military policemen," said Col. John L. Gronski, commander for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.  "My heart and my prayers go out to his family.  Sgt. Bennett died while preventing a suicide bomber from conducting an attack on his intended target, ultimately saving the lives of a large group of American Soldiers.  Staff Sgt. Bennett is a hero."

Bennett joined the National Guard in February 1997 and served in Operation Desert Spring from August 2002 to June 2003, providing a forward presence in the Persian Gulf region.

"Staff Sgt. Bennett was an important leader within the military police platoon," said the 2nd Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Horace C. Pysher.  "Everyday he showed his commitment to accomplishing the mission, and his concern for the welfare of his fellow Soldiers."

Bennett is survived by his parents and his sister. He was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant and awarded the purple heart and combat action badge.

Saturday

Dec 10

IED Claims Soldier in Baghdad

Sgt. Julia V. Atkins, 22, of Bossier City, Louisiana, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 10, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her HMMWV during patrol operations.  Atkins was assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Enemy Fire Claims Two Soldiers in Baghdad

Two members of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 10, as a result of enemy small arms fire. Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Travis L. Nelson, 41, of Anniston, Alabama.

Sgt. Kenith Casica, 32, of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Enemy Fire Claims Soldier in Taji

Sgt. Clarence L. Floyd, Jr., 28, of Newark, New Jersey, died in Taji, Iraq, on December 10, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire during combat operations.  Floyd was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Friday

Dec 9

Soldier Killed by IED in Baghdad

Sgt. Adrian N. Orosco, 26, of Corcoran, California, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 9, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted position during combat operations. Orosco was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

Thursday

Dec 8

Soldier Killed by IED Blast in Baghdad

1st Lt. Kevin J. Smith, 28, of Brandon, Florida, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 8, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Smith was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

MI Guard Member Dies from Injuries Received in IED Blast

PR Guard Member Dies of Non-Combat Related Cause

Staff Sgt. Milton Rivera-Vargas, 55, of Boqueron, Puerto Rico, died in Kalsu, Iraq, on December 8, from a non-combat related cause while on guard duty. Rivera-Vargas was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment, Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

Wednesday

Dec 7

Marine Killed by IED Blast in Ar Ramadi

Cpl. Joseph P. Bier, 22, of Centralia, Washington, died December 7 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  Beir was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Bier's unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Soldier Killed by IED Blast in Balad

Sgt. Michael C. Taylor, 23, of Hockley, Texas, died in Balad, Iraq, on December 7, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck while his unit was conducting combat operations.  Taylor was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery, 214th Field Artillery Brigade, III Corps Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Tuesday

Dec 6

Soldier Dies from Non-Combat Related Injuries

Pfc. Thomas C. Siekert, 20, of Lovelock, Nevada, died in Bayji, Iraq on December 6, from non-combat related injuries.  Siekert was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Land Mine Claim IL Guard Member

Sunday

Dec 4

Two SD Guard Members Killed by IED Blast

Two members of the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery, Yankton, South Dakota died in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 4, when improvised explosive devices detonated near their HMMWV during convoy operations. Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Daniel M. Cuka, 27, of Yankton, South Dakota.

Sgt. 1st Class Richard L. Schild, 40, of Tabor, South Dakota.

(Source: The Coyote, a publication of the SD-NG)

Saturday

Dec 3

Soldier Dies in Mortar Attack

Cpl. Jimmy L. Shelton, 21, of Lehigh Acres, Florida, died in Bayji, Iraq on December 3, when his forward operating base was attacked by enemy forces using mortars.  Shelton was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Friday

Dec 2

Events as reported by the American Forces Press Service

Four Soldiers Killed in Two Incidents in Iraq

WASHINGTON, December 2, 2005 - Three 48th Brigade Combat Team soldiers were killed in a vehicle accident southeast of Ali Air Base, Iraq today, military officials reported.

In Ramadi, a soldier assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), died of wounds sustained when the vehicle he was traveling in was attacked with a rocket while conducting combat operations December 1.

The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of the families.

Three GA Guard Members Killed in Vehicle Accident

Three members of the Army National Guard's 148th Forward Support Battalion, 48th Brigade Combat Team, Forsyth, Georgia died at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, on December 2, of injuries sustained earlier that day when their truck accidentally rolled over. Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Philip L. Travis, 41, of Snellville, Georgia.

Sgt. Philip A. Dodson, Jr., 42, of Forsyth, Georgia.

Spc. Marcus S. Futrell, 20, of Macon, Georgia.

Thursday

Dec 1

Events as reported by the American Forces Press Service

Four Soldiers Killed in Two Incidents in Iraq

WASHINGTON, December 2, 2005 - Three 48th Brigade Combat Team soldiers were killed in a vehicle accident southeast of Ali Air Base, Iraq today, military officials reported.

In Ramadi, a soldier assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), died of wounds sustained when the vehicle he was traveling in was attacked with a rocket while conducting combat operations December 1.

The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of the families.

Ten Marines Killed in Fallujah

Ten members of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California died December 1 from an improvised explosive device.  The Marines were attending a promotion ceremony at a makeshift patrol base outside Fallujah, Iraq, not on patrol as was originally reported, military officials said. The Marines were inside an abandoned flour factory being used as a patrol base when an improvised explosive device detonated. Officials noted the platoon had swept the area for explosives and established security around the factory. On that day, the company commander traveled to the patrol base to promote three Marines, and a promotion ceremony involving a group of Marines was conducted inside the patrol base. When the ceremony ended, the Marines dispersed. Officials believe that one of the Marines triggered a hidden pressure plate initiation device, causing the explosion. Explosive experts believe four artillery shells were buried in two separate locations. All Marines were wearing their protective equipment, officials said. Eleven other Marines were wounded in the incident. Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Clay, 27, of Pensacola, Florida.

Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, 20, of Suprise, Arizona.

Lance Cpl. David A. Huhn, 24, of Portland, Michigan.

Lance Cpl. Adam W. Kaiser, 19, of Naperville, Illinois.

Lance Cpl. Robert A. Martinez, 20, of Splendora, Texas

Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, 20, of Little Falls, Minnesota.

Lance Cpl. Scott T. Modeen, 24, of Hennepin, Minnesota.

Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Patten, 19, of Byron, Illinois.

Sgt. Andy A. Stevens, 29, of Tomah, Wisconsin.

Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson, 21, of Union City, Michigan.

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

PA Guard Member Killed by IED in Combat

The PA-ARNG website reports that Adams was the driver of a 5-ton, up-armored truck when the 6-vehicle convoy came under attack around 4:30 p.m.  Adams died a short time later at a local medical center.  Adams was a 1983 graduate of Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pennsylvania, and a 1995 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  He joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in September 1987.  As a civilian, he was a technician with Sprint. "Brent was a model Soldier, who was highly respected by all of his peers," said Col. John Gronski, 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander. "Sergeant First Class Adams always stepped up when called upon to accomplish the mission," said Command Sgt. Maj. Horace C. Pysher, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.