Total US Casualties = 1480
the deaths of three soldiers who were
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The soldiers died Feb. 13 in Balad,
Iraq, when the vehicle they were riding
in overturned. All were assigned to the
Army's 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3d
Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
The incident is under investigation.
The soldiers are:
Sgt. Chad W. Lake, 26, of Ocala, Fla.
Sgt. Rene Knox, Jr., 22, of New
Orleans, La.
Spc. Dakotah L. Gooding, 21, of Des
Moines, Iowa
For further information related to this
release, contact Army Public Affairs at
(703) 692-2000.
Sgt. Frank B. Hernandez, 21, of
Phoenix, Ariz., died Feb. 17 in Tal Afar,
Iraq, when an improvised explosive
device detonated near his vehicle.
Hernandez was assigned to 2nd
Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment,
1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division,
Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort
Lewis, Wash.
Sgt. Christopher M. Pusateri, 21, of
Corning, N.Y., died Feb.16 in Mosul,
Iraq, of injuries sustained from enemy
forces using small arms fire. Pusateri
was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th
Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd
Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
The Department of Defense announced
today the death of two soldiers who
were supporting Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
They died Feb.16 in Forward
Operating Base Iskandariyah, Iraq,
when a roadway collapsed, causing
their vehicle to roll over. The Soldiers
were assigned to the Army National
Guard's 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry
Regiment (Mechanized), McComb,
Miss.
The soldiers are Sgt. Timothy R.
Osbey, 34, and Spc. Joseph A.
Rahaim, 22, both of Magnolia, Miss.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information related to this
release, contact Army Public Affairs at
(703) 692-2000.
Sgt. Carlos J. Gil, 30, of Orlando, Fla.,
died Feb. 18, in Humaniyuh, Iraq from
injuries sustained from an improvised
explosive device detonation. Gil was
assigned to the 377th Transportation
Company, 181st Transportation
Battalion, Mannheim, Germany.
Spc. Clinton R. Gertson, 26, of
Houston, Texas, died 19 Feb. in Mosul,
Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy
forces small arms fire. Gertson was
assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th
Infantry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.
1st Lt. Adam Malson, 23, of Rochester
Hills, Mich., died Feb. 19 in Baghdad,
Iraq, from injuries sustained while on
patrol when an improvised explosive
device detonated. Malson was assigned
to 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry
Regiment, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Spc. Seth R. Trahan, 20, of Crowley,
La. died Feb. 19, in Baghdad, Iraq,
from injuries sustained while on patrol
when an improvised explosive
device detonated. Trahan was
assigned to the Army National Guard's
3d Battalion, 156th Infantry
Regiment, Crowley, La.
Cpl. Kevin M. Clarke, 21, of Tinley
Park, Ill., died Feb. 19 as a result of
hostile action in Al Anbar Province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion,
7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Cpl. John T. Olson, 21, of Elk Grove
Village, Ill., died Feb. 21 as a result of
hostile action in Al Anbar Province,
Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters
Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp
Lejeune, N.C.
Media with questions about this Marine
can call the 2nd Marine Division Public
Affairs Office at (910) 451-9033.
Lance Cpl. Trevor D. Aston, 32, of
Austin, Texas, died Feb. 22 as a result
of non-hostile vehicle incident in Al
Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned
to Marine Forces Reserve’s 1st
Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th
Marine Division, Austin, Texas.
The Department of Defense announced
the death of three soldiers who were
supporting Iraqi Freedom.
They died Feb. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq,
when an improvised explosive
device detonated as they were exiting
their military vehicle after it had rolled
over. The soldiers were assigned to the
Army National Guard's 1st Battalion,
151st Field Artillery, 34th Infantry
Division, Montevideo, Minn.
The soldiers are:
1st Lt. Jason G. Timmerman, 24, of
Tracy, Minn.
Staff Sgt. David F. Day, 25, of Saint
Louis Park, Minn.
Sgt. Jesse M. Lhotka, 24, of
Alexandria, Minn.
For further information related to this
release, contact Army Public Affairs at
(703) 692-2000.
Five U.S. Soldiers Die; Accident Kills
Polish Soldier
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2005 -- Four U.
S. servicemembers were killed in Iraq
over the past 48 hours as Iraqi and U.
S. forces press forward with security and
stability operations in the country,
officials reported.
And the military is investigating today's
death of a fifth U.S. soldier, assigned to
Task Force Baghdad, from a "non-
battle" injury.
In the northern part of Baghdad,
three Task Force Baghdad soldiers
were killed and nine others were
wounded today when an improvised
explosive device detonated while the
unit was conducting a patrol.
Another soldier assigned to 1st
Marine Expeditionary Force was
killed Feb. 24 while conducting security
and stability operations in Anbar
province.
A vehicle accident claimed a Polish
soldier's life today about 1.5 kilometers
south of Diwaniyah. Four other Polish
Soldiers were injured in the accident
and were evacuated to a coalition
hospital in Baghdad, where they are
listed in stable condition.
The crash happened between a Polish
armored vehicle and an Iraqi bus. Polish
Maj. Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak ,
Multinational Division Central South
commander, has appointed a special
commission to investigate the accident.
The names of all the deceased are
being withheld until next of kin are
notified.
Military officials also reported that
Operation River Blitz, launched Feb.
20, has so far led to 104 suspected
insurgent arrests and the seizure of
several weapons caches.
Most recently, Iraqi and U.S. forces
captured 17 suspected insurgents
and seized several weapons caches
throughout Anbar. Officials said some
raids have occurred in mosques in the
area.
The military said that six people were
detained after Iraqi soldiers from the
Freedom Guard Battalion, Iraqi
National Guard, cleared a mosque in
Haqlaniya on Feb. 20. U.S. Marines
from Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st
Marine Division, provided security
outside.
Meanwhile, Iraqi and U.S. military
continued to get help from Iraqi citizens
to end the violence on the streets.
North of Ramadi, a local civilian directed
a Marine combat patrol Feb. 24 to an
improvised-explosive device, which
consisted of four 105 mm artillery rounds
daisy-chained together in a brown bag
hidden underneath a pile of leaves.
In southern Fallujah, an Iraqi civilian
guided another Marine patrol the same
day to a weapons cache that consisted
of one 82 mm mortar round, seven 57
mm rounds, three 23 mm rounds and
one 30 mm round.
Earlier that day, another Iraqi civilian led
a Marine patrol to a weapons cache in
the southeastern portion of the city. That
cache consisted of one missile warhead,
100 pounds of TNT and one 120 mm
mortar round.
(Compiled from Multinational Forces Iraq
news releases.)
West Bend, Wis., died Feb. 5 as a
result of hostile action in Babil
Province, Iraq. He was assigned to
Marine Forces Reserve’s 2nd
Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th
Marine Division, Milwaukee, Wis.
Lance Cpl. Richard C. Clifton, 19, of
Milford, Del., died Feb. 3 as a result of
hostile action in Al Anbar Province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion,
5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, Calif.
Capt. Sean L. Brock, 29, of Redondo
Beach, Calif., died Feb. 2 from
wounds received as a result of hostile
action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He
was assigned to Headquarters
Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp
Butler, Okinawa, Japan.
Spc. Jeremy O. Allmon, 22, of
Cleburne, Texas, died Feb. 6 in Taji,
Iraq, when an improvised explosive
device detonated near his military
vehicle. Allmon was assigned to the 3rd
Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st
Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
The Department of Defense announced
today the death of two soldiers who
were supporting Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Steven G. Bayow, 42, from
Colonia Yap, Federated States of
Micronesia, died February 4 in Bayji,
Iraq, when an improvised explosive
device hit his vehicle. Bayow was
assigned to the 2d Battalion, 7th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry
Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Sgt. Daniel Torres, 23, from Fort
Worth, Texas, died February 4 in
Bayjii, Iraq, when an improvised
explosive device hit his vehicle.
Torres was assigned to the 2d
Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd
Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Lance Cpl. Sean P. Maher, 19, of
Grays Lake, Ill., died Feb. 2 as a result
of hostile action in Al Anbar Province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 1st
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd
Marine Division, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps
Base Hawaii.
Sgt. Stephen R. Sherman, 27, from
Neptune, N.J., died Feb. 3 in Mosul,
Iraq, from wounds sustained when an
improvised explosive device
detonated near his vehicle. Sherman
was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th
Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry
Division, (Stryker Brigade Combat
Team) Fort Lewis, Wash.
Sgt. 1st Class Sean M. Cooley, 35,
from Ocean Springs, Miss., died
February 3 in Northern Babil
Province, Iraq, when his vehicle was
struck by an improvised explosive
device. Cooley was assigned to the
150th Engineer Battalion, 155th
Armor Brigade, Lucedale, Miss.
Spc. Robert T. Hendrickson, 24, from
Broken Bow, Okla., died Feb. 1 in
Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained
when his military vehicle overturned.
Hendrickson was assigned to the 2d
Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st
Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Zachary R. Wobler, 24, of
Ottowa, Ohio, died Feb. 6 in Mosul,
Iraq, when his dismounted patrol
encountered enemy forces using small
arms fire. Wobler was assigned to the
Army’s 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne
Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne
Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Sgt. Jessica M. Housby, 23, of Rock
Island, Ill., died Feb. 9 in Route
Golden, Iraq, when an improvised
explosive device detonated near her
convoy. Housby was assigned to the
Army National Guard's 1644th
Transportation Company, Rock Falls,
Ill.
Spc. Jeffrey S. Henthorn, 25, of
Choctaw, Okla., died Feb. 8 in Balad,
Iraq, from non-combat related injuries.
Henthorn was assigned to the 24th
Transportation Company, Fort Riley,
Kan.
Staff Sgt. Kristopher L. Shepherd,
26, of Lynchburg, Va., died Feb. 11 in
Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised
explosive device detonated during
clearing operations. Shepherd was
assigned to the 767th Ordnance
Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion,
52nd Ordnance Group, Fort McNair,
Washington, D.C.
Spc. Robert A. McNail, 30, of
Meridian, Miss., died Feb. 11 in
Iskandariyah, Iraq, when his HMMVW
struck another military vehicle.
McNail was assigned to the Army
National Guard's 150th Combat
Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade
Combat Team, Quitman, Miss.
Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, 29, of San
Antonio, Texas, died Feb. 13 while
performing a canal rescue mission in
Balad, Iraq Rangel was assigned to the
7th Civil Engineering Squadron,
Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.
Sgt. 1st Class David J.Salie, 34, of
Columbus, Ga., died February 14 in
Ba'qubah, Iraq, when his vehicle was hit
by an improvised explosive device.
Salie was assigned to the Army's 2d
Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d
Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Pfc. David J.Brangman, 20, of Lake
Worth, Fla., died February 13 in
Uvanni, Iraq, when a mortar round
struck his vehicle. Brangman was
assigned to the Army's 3d Battalion,
69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry
Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Sgt. Adam J. Plumondore, 22, of
Gresham, Ore., died February 16 in
Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne
improvised explosive device
detonated near his vehicle. Plumondore
was assigned to the Army's 1st
Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment,
1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division,
Fort Lewis, Wash.
Spc. Justin B. Carter, 21, of Mansfield,
Mo., died Feb. 16 in Forward
Operating Base McKenzie, Iraq, from
non-combat related injuries. Carter
was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th
Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 3rd
Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort
Benning, Ga.
Pfc. Michael A. Arciola, 20, of
Elmsford, N.Y., died Feb. 15 in Al
Ramadi, Iraq, from injuries sustained
from enemy small arms fire. Arciola
was assigned to the 1st Battalion,
503d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry
Division, Camp Casey, Korea.
Staff Sgt. Jason R. Hendrix, 28, of
Claremore, Okla., died Feb.16 in Ar
Ramadi, Iraq, when an explosion
occurred while he was conducting
combat operations. Hendrix was
assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division,
Camp Hovey, Korea.
Spc. Katrina L. Bell-Johnson, 32, of
Orangeburg, S.C., died Feb. 16 in
Ba'qubah, Iraq, when she was involved
in a vehicle accident. Bell-Johnson
was assigned to the Army's 418th
Transportation Company, 180th
Transportation Battalion, Fort Hood,
Texas.
Springfield, Ill., died Feb. 24 in
Muqdadiyah, Iraq, when an
improvised explosive device
detonated near his military vehicle.
Palmatier was assigned to 1st
Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d
Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, Fort
Benning, Ga.
Sgt. Nicholas J. Olivier, 26, of
Ruston, La., died Feb. 23 in Baghdad,
Iraq, when an improvised explosive
device detonated while he was on foot
patrol. Olivier was assigned to the Army
National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 156th
Infantry Regiment, Pineville, La.
Staff Sgt. Daniel G. Gresham, 23, of
Lincoln, Ill., died Feb. 24 in Camp
Wilson, Iraq, when a second
improvised explosive device
detonated while he was responding to a
first device. Gresham was assigned to
the 797th Ordnance Company
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 79th
Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance,
Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Eric M. Steffeney, 28, of
Waterloo, Iowa, died February 23 in
Tuz, Iraq, when an improvised
explosive device detonated.
Steffeney was assigned to the 184th
Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance
Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
The Department of Defense announced
the death of three soldiers who were
supporting Iraqi Freedom. They died
Feb. 25 in Taji, Iraq, when an
improvised explosive device detonated
while they were on dismounted patrol.
Killed were:
Spc. Adam N. Brewer, 22, of Dewey,
Okla.
Spc. Jason L. Moski, 24, of Blackville,
S.C.
Spc. Colby M. Farnan, 22, of Weston,
Mo.