Tuesday, September 11, 2007 5:48 PM - UPDATE - The has confirmed the death of Kentucky Army National Guard Private 1st Class Sammie E. Phillips, 19, of Cecilia, Kentucky, in a non-hostile vehicle rollover in the Rustamiyah District of east Baghdad on Monday, September 10th.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:27 PM - 2 INCOMING -
	The has announced two new deaths of Marines not previously reported by CENTCOM. They died on Monday, September 10, while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq:
		Cpl. Carlos E. Gilorozco, 23, of San Jose, California
		Lance Cpl. Jon T. Hicks, Jr., 20, of Atco, N.J.
	Both were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:40 PM - UPDATE -

Courtney Hollinsworth, 26, of Yonkers, NY

The has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in Baghdad from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and grenades on Sunday, September 9th: Staff Sgt. Courtney Hollinsworth, 26, of Yonkers, NY. USWarWatch believes this death corresponds to this MNF Iraq release of September 9. Hollinsworth was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Thursday, September 13, 2007, 8:08 AM - UPDATES -
	The has identified the seven soldiers who died in a vehicle rollover in Baghdad on Monday, September 10th:
		Staff Sgt. Yance T. Gray, 26, of Ismay, Montana
		Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago, 26, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands
		Sgt. Michael C. Hardegree, 21, of Villa Rica, Georgia
		Sgt. Omar L. Mora, 28, of Texas City, Texas
		Sgt. Nicholas J. Patterson, 24, of Rochester, Indiana
		Spc. Ari D. Brown-Weeks, 23, of Abingdon, Maryland
		Spc. Steven R. Elrod, 20, of Hope Mills, North Carolina
	All seven were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. They were killed when their truck veered off an elevated highway in western Baghdad and fell about 30 feet, the military said.
	Gray and Mora were two of the seven soldiers who wrote a powerful public statement criticizing US war efforts. "The War as We Saw It" appeared as an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times last month. An article in The Editor and Publisher quotes grieving parents of both young men as supportive of their right to speak out, and of their views on the war.
Yance T. Gray, 26, of Ismay, Montana	Gray grew up in Ismay, Montana. His mother had last spoken to her son a week ago, and had also recently received an e-mail. In a New York Times article, Gray's mother said “My son was a soldier in his heart from the age of 5.” “He loved what he was doing.” His father added, “But he wasn’t any mindless robot.” Sergeant Gray leaves a wife, Jessica, and a daughter, Ava, born in April. He is also survived by a brother and sister.
Omar L. Mora, 28, of Texas City, Texas	Mora grew up in Texas City, Texas, about 40 miles south of Houston. He was a high school soccer player and car aficionado and also taught Sunday school at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Church. He enlisted after 9-11, driven by a need to act, said his mother. Within three years, he was a sergeant. But Mora, a permanent legal resident, longed to join the Special Forces, which requires citizenship. He was waiting to be sworn in when his deployment ended in November. In a Fort Worth Star-Telegram interview, Mora's mother said that despite her son's patriotism, Mora seemed to grow disturbed by the poverty and pain afflicting the children in Iraq. He often asked his family to send cookies and candies for the children. In April, Mora came home on a two-week leave. His ears were injured by a roadside bomb and a friend lost his arm. In August, another friend died in Mora's arms. That death seemed to leave a grim imprint, his mother said. On Friday, an unusually subdued Mora called his mother, and the two spoke for what would be the last time. "He was so quiet, as if he did not want anyone to hear him," said his mom. "I told him that I was counting the days until he would come home, that I would give him a big hug."
Gregory Rivera-Santiago, 26, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands	Rivera-Santiago was an Infantry Team Leader. A News14 article states that he joined the Army in August 1999. He arrived to the 82nd Airborne Division in August 2002, and served two previous deployments, one in Iraq and on in Afghanistan, earning many military awards and decorations. Rivera-Santiago is survived by his wife, Brooke Rivera; his son, Gregory Rivera, IV; his daughter, Xiomara; his step-daughter, Ayani Bowling, all of Fayetteville, N.C.; and his mother, Carmen Santiago, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Michael C. Hardegree, 21, of Villa Rica, Georgia	Hardegree joined the Army June 2004. 11Alive News reports that he completed Infantry One Station Unit Training in October of that year and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga. He was eventually assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment as an Infantryman. Hardegree received many military awards and decorations. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hardegree was single, and the son of high school teachers. His father is also the publisher of a local news Web site, the Villa Rica Voice. Earlier this month, he wrote an editorial about flying to Washington to pick up a BMW he bought as a welcome home present for his son. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by J.Collins Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Villa Rica.
Nicholas J. Patterson, 24, of Rochester, Indiana	Patterson’s father said he was informed of the death Monday night, according to WNDU. Patterson was a 2001 graduate of Rochester High School, where some on the staff remember him well. “Nick is one of those guys who had such an outgoing personality, he had so much energy that you had to get to know him,” said Patterson’s former teacher Rob Malchow: “he didn’t allow you not to.” Patterson was an active duty Army Sgt. In the 82nd Airborne Division assigned to Iraq. News Channel 18 reports that Patterson's survivors include his wife, Jayme, and their 4-year-old son.
Ari D. Brown-Weeks, 23, of Abingdon, Maryland	Brown-Weeks was a Radio Operator. Although his hometown was given as Abingdon, Maryland, he attended the Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield, Massachussetts and is considered a native of Franklin County according to an article in the Boston Herald. He was deployed to Iraq in January, a month after getting married. His father, Jon Weeks of Leyden, said he was scheduled to return home in November. He joined the Army in May 2006. Brown-Weeks is survived by his wife, Ashley Weeks, of Spring Lake, N.C.; and his parents Jon Weeks and Karyn Weeks, of Leyden, Mass.
Steven R. Elrod, 20, of Hope Mills, North Carolina	Elrod was a Cavalry Scout. He joined the Army in February 2006. Elrod is survived by his mother, Karen Morin; his step-father, Michael Morin; his sister Kristen Elrod, 17, his brother, Scott Morin, 12, all of Hope Mills, N.C.; and his father, Denny Elrod from Mountain Home, ID.

Friday, September 14, 2007 4:23 PM - 4 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the deaths of Four Task Force Lightning soldiers who were killed in eastern Diyala Province Friday, September 14, when an explosion occurred near their vehicle. No other details were given.

Saturday, September 15, 2007 12:03 PM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Task Force Marne soldier who was killed in Iraq (location not given) on Friday, September 14. Four others were wounded by an IED explosion during a dismounted patrol.

Sunday, September 16, 2007 5:04 AM - UPDATE -

Terry Daniel Wagoner, 28, of Pelzer, South Carolina

The Greenville (South Carolina) News is reporting the death in Iraq of Army Staff Sergeant Terry Daniel Wagoner of Pelzer, South Carolina. According to his father, who referred to him as "Daniel", Wagoner was killed in a roadside bomb blast along with three other soldiers while on patrol on Friday, September 14th, making it likely he is one of the deaths described in this MNF-Iraq release. During high school, Wagoner's specialty was running track ... the 440 and 880 ... an athletic endeavor at which he was ranked statewide. He had been in the army for the past seven years, based currently out of Fort Hood, TX. On his second tour of duty in Iraq, Wagoner was originally scheduled to return home this October, but had his tour extended until February. He is survived by his wife, a 3-year-old daughter, his parents and two sisters. On a side note, Greenville station WYFF is reporting that Spc. Zandra Worthy-Walker, who was killed in a mortar attack in Iraq on August 15th, 2007, was the same age as Wagoner, attended the same high school ... and ran on the same track team.

Sunday, September 16, 2007 8:28 AM - 1 INCOMING & UPDATE -
Michael McCloud, 24, of Athens, Texas	(1) The Tyler (Texas) Morning Telegraph has identified another one of the four army cavalry scouts who died when their M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Diyala Province on Friday, September 14th: Christopher Michael McCloud, 24, of Athens, Texas. Apparently, he had worked in construction after high school for some time, then decided to enlist late last year. He had been in Iraq for the past 5 months. Right before McCloud left base for what would be his final mission, he was able to talk to his wife and his two sons, aged 2 and 3 years, on the phone.
Terry Allen, 21, of Pennsauken, New Jersey	(2) The Cherry Hill (New Jersey) Courier-Post is reporting a death in Iraq that has not previously been reported by CENTCOM: Marine Corporal Terry Allen, 21, of Pennsauken, New Jersey. (The Philadelphia Inquirer has also published an article on the death.) Allen was literally days away from completing his second tour of duty in Iraq. Scheduled to return home September 18th, he was through with the combat portion of his tour and was at Al Asad Air Base in Al Anbar Province, waiting out the final days. Throughout most of his tour, he was rarely able to call home. Now, with time on his hands, Allen had called his parents three times in the past week. Shortly after the last phone call on Friday, September 14th, he was found dead at the base with a bullet through his head, a bullet "likely from a sniper", according to his parents. An "intense, focused and driven" young man, Allen had decided on a career with the Marines in high school even before graduation in 2004. In fact, he had recently re-enlisted for another 4 years and was steadily rising in the ranks. He had been informed that he was slated for promotion to sergeant next January in a position at Camp Lejeune that would have made him non-deployable for a while, at least. Allen is survived by his wife and his parents.

Monday, September 17, 2007 7:00 PM - 1 INCOMING -
Michael Lopez Townes, 29, of Las Vegas, Nevada	The has announced a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM: Staff Sgt. Michael Lopez Townes, 29, of Las Vegas. Townes died Sept. 16 in Balad, Iraq, from a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, Aviation Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 9:00 AM - UPDATES -
John Willliam "Johnny" Mele, 25, of Bunnell, Florida	(1) The has identified a soldier who died on Friday, September 14 in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an IED detonated near his unit during combat operations, Sgt. John Willliam "Johnny" Mele, 25, of Bunnell, Florida. This death corresponds to the MNF-Iraq release issued on September 14, which stated the soldier was on a "dismounted patrol". Mele was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. WBIR Knoxville reports that Mele is survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter. The Union City (TN) Daily Messenger reports that Mele was with a patrol southwest of Baghdad when he entered a house and was killed by a concealed homemade bomb.
	(2) The has identified the four soldiers who died when an IED detonated near their vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad on Friday, September 14.
		Staff Sgt. Terry D. Wagoner, 28, of Piedmont, South Carolina
		Spc. Todd A. Motley, 23, of Clare, Michigan
		Spc. Jonathan Rivadeneira, 22, of Jackson Heights (in Queens, New York City), New York
		Pvt. Christopher M. McCloud, 24, of Malakoff, Texas
		All four were assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. The media had previously identified Wagoner and McCloud. Motley and Rivadeneira are new identifications.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 12:49 PM - 3 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting that 3 Task Force Lightning Soldiers were killed in Diyala Province, Tuesday, September 18, 2007, following an explosion near their patrol. Three Soldiers were also wounded and transported to a Coalition medical facility for treatment.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 12:54 PM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting that a Task Force Lightning Soldier died in a vehicle accident in Nineveh province on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The incident is currently under investigation.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 3:21 PM - 1 INCOMING -

Brandon T. Thorsen, 22, of Trenton, Florida

The has announced a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM: Pfc. Brandon T. Thorsen, 22, of Trenton, Florida, who died on Saturay, September 15, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident September 14 in Baghdad. Thorsen was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 8:40 AM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting that a Multi-National Division-Baghdad soldier was killed during a small arms fire attack while conducting combat operations in a southern section of Baghdad on Tuesday, September 18, 2007.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 8:49 AM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting that a Multi-National Division-Baghdad soldier was killed while conducting combat operations in an area west of Baghdad on Wednesday, September 19, 2007.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 8:58 AM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting that a Task Force Lightning Soldier died on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, of a non-battle related cause in Salah ad Din Province. No further details were given at this time.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 8:58 AM - UPDATE -

Spc. Matt Emerson, 20, of Grandview, Washington

The Tri-City Herald (Mid-Columbia, Washington) is reporting the death in Iraq of Army Spc. Matt Emerson, 20, of Grandview, Washington. His parents were notified about his death Tuesday, September 18th. His family reports that he was serving as a gunner on a humvee in the northern city of Mosul, making it likely he is the September 18th death in Ninevah Province described in this MNF-Iraq release. Emerson was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. He joined the Army in 2005 but started talking about becoming a solider when he was a little boy. He graduated from Grandview High School in 2004 and was a defensive back and wide receiver on the school's football team. Later update: Various media sources are reporting that Emerson fell from a moving humvee, and broke his neck.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 10:45 AM - UPDATE - Media sources (MLive.com, KDHnews.com and others) are reporting that the 4 soldiers who died in an IED attack on September 14 and identified in this release, were killed in Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles northeast of Baghdad, in Diyala Province. The initially reported that they died in Baghdad, but later revised its press release. We are changing our records accordingly.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 3:30 PM - UPDATE - The is confirming the death of Spc. Matthew J. Emerson, 20, of Grandview, Washington, who died September 18, 2007 in Ninevah Province, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

Thursday, September 20, 2007, 7:38 AM - UPDATES -
Aaron J. Walker, 23, of Harker Heights, Texas	(1) The DoD has identified the soldier who died in Baghdad of small arms fire on Tuesday, September 18: Spc. Aaron J. Walker, 23, of Harker Heights, Texas. Walker was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.
	(2) The DoD is also identifying the three soldiers who died in Diyala Province after an IED attack on Tuesday, September 18:
		Spc. Joseph N. Landry III, 23, of Pensacola, Florida
		Spc. Nicholas P. Olson, 22, of Novato, California
		Spc. Donald E. Valentine III, 21, of Orange Park, Florida
		The attack took place in Muqdadiyah, Iraq. All three were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

Thursday, September 20, 2007, 9:52 AM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting that a soldier assigned to Multi-National Force-West died on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, in a non-combat-related incident in Al Anbar Province. No further details were given at this time.

Thursday, September 20, 2007, 3:20 PM - UPDATE -
Christian M. Neff, 19, of Lima, Ohio	The DoD has identified the soldier who died in western Baghdad on Wednesday, September 19: Pfc. Christian M. Neff, 19, of Lima, Ohio. Neff died of wounds suffered from an IED. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. This death was previously reported by MNF-Iraq in this release.

Thursday, September 20, 2007, 4:17 PM - UPDATE -

Sgt. Edmund J. Jeffers, 23, of Daleville, Alabama

The DoD has identified the soldier reported killed in this MNF-Iraq release. Sgt. Edmund J. Jeffers, 23, of Daleville, Alabama, died on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at the Al Taqqadum Airbase, near Al Habbaniyah, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related accident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Friday, September 21, 2007 10:30 AM - UPDATE -

Dmitru Ioan Grosaru, 35, of Romania

The Romanian Ministry of Defence has identified the soldier killed in an IED attack on Friday, September 21st: Sublocotenent (2nd Lieutenant) Dimitru Ioan Grosaru. According to the MoD release, Ioan was assigned to the "Batalionul 32 Infanterie 'Mircea', din Timişoara, Brigada 2 Infanterie 'Rovine', Corpul 1 Armată Teritorial 'General Ioan Culcer', Forţele Terestre Române." A very rough translation would suggest the 32nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade, Romanian Armed Forces.

Friday, September 21, 2007 3:30 PM - UPDATE - According to Agentia Nationala de Presa ROMPRES, the Romanian soldier, Ioan Grosaru, was posthumously promoted to Second Lieutenant and awarded the Star of Romania National Order in rank of Knight. This report stated in English that he belonged to the "Mircea Infantry Battalion 22," based in Timisoara, Romania. This conflicts with the earlier report, but we will go with this translation until and unless a more conclusive description of Grosaru's military unit is found. The report also stated that Grosaru was 35 years old, and single.

Friday, September 21, 2007 6:56 PM - UPDATE -
Graham M. McMahon, 22, of Corvallis, Oregon	(1) The DoD has announced the identity of the soldier who died on September 19 in Salah ad Din Province, and referred to in this MNF-Iraq release: Cpl. Graham M. McMahon, 22, of Corvallis, Oregon, died on Wednesday, September 19th in Balad, Iraq, from a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, Washington.
Luigi Marciante Jr., 25, of Elizabeth, New Jersey	(2) The DoD has announced the identity of the soldier who died on September 20 in Diyala Province, and referred to in this MNF-Iraq release: Pfc. Luigi Marciante Jr., 25, of Elizabeth, N.J., died Sept. 20 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Saturday, September 22, 2007 6:15 AM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Task Force Marne soldier who died of "non-battle injuries" in an undisclosed location on Friday, September, 21st.

Saturday, September 22, 2007 2:26 PM - 1 INCOMING & UPDATE -
	(1) MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Task Force Lightning soldier in a vehicle accident in Diyala Province on Saturday, September 22nd.
John J. Young, 24, of Savannah, Georgia	(2) The DoD has identified the Task Force Marne soldier who died from a non-hostile, unspecified cause at Camp Stryker in southern Baghdad on Friday, September 21st: Specialist John J. Young, 24, of Savannah, Georgia.

Saturday, September 22, 2007 3:13 PM - UPDATE -
Dr. Roselle M. Hoffmaster, 32, of Cleveland, Ohio	The DoD has identified the Task Force Lightning soldier who died from a non-hostile, unspecified cause near Kirkuk in northern Iraq on Thursday, September 20th: Captain (Doctor) Roselle M. Hoffmaster, 32, of Cleveland, Ohio. She was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, out of Fort Drum, NY.

Saturday, September 22, 2007 3:56 PM - 1 INCOMING -

Mark Stansfield, 32, from Oxfordshire, England

The British Ministry of Defense has announced the death of a soldier from The Royal Logistics Corps: Sergeant Mark Stansfield, 32, from Oxfordshire, England. Stansfield was seriously injured in an accident with a fork lift truck at Basra Air Station in southern Iraq on the morning of Wednesday, September 19th. He was immediately taken to the field hospital at the base for surgery and was then flown to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, England. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated and he died on Friday, September 21st, with his family at his bedside. Stansfield had joined the British Army's Royal Logistics Corps in 1992 at age 17, and had served previous operational tours in the Balkans, Northern Ireland and Iraq. He was injured on the day before he was due to depart Iraq on R&R. Stansfield had been married last Christmas ... and he and his wife were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child.

Sunday, September 23, 2007 5:51 AM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier when an explosive-formed penetrator detonated near his patrol in an eastern neighborhood of Baghdad on Saturday, September 22nd. Another soldier was wounded in the attack.

Monday, September 24, 2007 4:58 PM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Task Force Lightning soldier from hostile gunfire in Salah ad Din Province on Monday, September 24th.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 9:34 AM - 2 INCOMING & UPDATE -
	(1) MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of Task Force Lightning soldier in a roadside bombing in Diyala Province on Tuesday, September 25th.
David L. Watson, 29, of Newport, Arkansas	(2) The DoD has identified the Task Force Lightning soldier who died from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Ba'qubah, Diyala Province, on Saturday, September 22nd: Specialist David L. Watson, 29, of Newport, Arkansas. According to an article from the Associated Press, Watson was a combat medic (Health Care Specialist) who had served a term in the Army starting in 1997, and who then signed up with the armed services again in September of 2005. He is survived by his wife, their two children, ages 4 and 8, and his mother.
Jonathan Miles Lankford, 42, of Scottsboro, Alabama	(3) The DoD has also announced a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM: Army Command Sergeant Major Jonathan Miles Lankford, 42, of Scottsboro, Alabama. The Huntsville (Alabama) Times is reporting that he died of an apparent heart attack while performing an excersize routine, something he and his men did every morning before going to work. He had been in Iraq for nearly a year already and was expected home in January of 2008. Lankford leaves behind his wife and their 2-year-old son ... and also a mother and two older brothers.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 2:59 AM - UPDATE -

Joshua H. Reeves, 26, of Watkinsville, Georgia

The DoD has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in a roadside bombing in eastern Baghdad on Saturday, September 22nd: Specialist Joshua H. Reeves, 26, of Watkinsville, Georgia. According to an article in the Nashville (Tennessee) Tennessean, Reeves' wife had only just delivered their first child, a son, the day before. She was still in the hospital when she learned she was a widow. The oldest of five children, Reeves had enlisted in the army three years ago ... and had just re-enlisted for six more years ... in hopes of eventually learning to fly helicopters.

Sunday, September 30, 2007 9:50 AM - UPDATES & 1 INCOMING -
Anthony K. Bento, 23, of San Diego, California	(1) The DoD has identified the Task Force Lightning soldier who died in a small arms fire attack in Bayji, Salah ad Din Province, on Monday, September 24th: Corporal Anthony K. Bento, 23, of San Diego, California. The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that Bento graduated from high school in 2002 ... but did not enlist in the army until early 2005. He was supposed to return home from his current tour of duty in Iraq in July, but had his stay extended by 90 days. He was shot to death just 26 days before his new scheduled homecoming. Bento is survived by his wife, a 13-month-old son, and his parents. His wife described him as having "the most fun-loving personality and an untamed spirit that not even the Army or war could break."
Kevin R. Brown, 38, of Harrah, Oklahoma	(2) The DoD has also identified the Task Force Lightning soldier who died in a roadside bombing in the vicinity of Muqdadiyah, Diyala Province, on Tuesday, September 25th: Staff Sergeant Kevin R. Brown, 38, of Harrah, Oklahoma. The Tulsa (Oklahoma) World has published an article in which his mother described him as loving the outdoors ... which was one reason he joined the army because it was all outdoors. Another reason was that his father was career army, so the younger Brown was raised on army bases all over the world. He initially enlisted in 1988, a year after high school graduation. This was his second tour of duty in Iraq, the first being in 2005. He was less than a year away from retirement. His mother stated: "He was looking forward to retirement, so he could be with his family forever." Brown is survived by his wife, two daughters aged 13 and 14, two stepchildren, his parents, and a sister.
Zachary B. Tomczak, 24, of Huron, South Dakota	(3) The DoD has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in a small arms fire attack in eastern Baghdad on Tuesday, September 25th: Staff Sergeant Zachary B. Tomczak, 24, of Huron, South Dakota. According to an article in the Huron Plainsman, Tomczak, an infantryman and squad leader, was on his fourth tour of duty in Iraq. He had graduated from high school in 2002 where he played football and was on the wrestling team. Tomczak was married.
	(4) MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier in an attack involving an improvised explosive device and small arms fire in an eastern neighborhood of Baghdad on Saturday, September 29th. One other solder was wounded.

Monday, October 01, 2007 6:00 AM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier in a small arms fire attack in an eastern neighborhood of Baghdad on Sunday, September 30th.

Monday, October 01, 2007 4:12 PM - 1 INCOMING & UPDATE -
Randy L. Johnson, 34, of Washington, DC	(1) The DoD has announced what would appear to be a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM. Army Sergeant 1st Class Randy L. Johnson, 34, of Washington, DC, died in a roadside bombing in Baghdad on Thursday, September 27th. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, out of Vilseck, Germany ... a unit that deployed to Iraq last August as a rapid reaction force.
James D. Doster, 37, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas	(2) The DoD has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in an attack involving an IED and small arms fire in eastern Baghdad on Saturday, September 29th: Sergeant 1st Class James D. Doster, 37, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The Associated Press is reporting that Doster had served in the army for 17 years, signing up during his second year in college. For much of his career, he was a recruiter. However, he did see combat duty during the Gulf War ... and was currently serving in Iraq as a convoy leader. Doster leaves behind a wife and two young daughters, ages 6 and 3.

Monday, October 01, 2007 4:52 PM - UPDATES -
Donnie D. Dixon, 37, of Miami, Florida	(1) The DoD has identified the Task Force Lightning soldier who died in a small arms fire attack in Baloor, Diyala Province, on Saturday, September 29th: Staff Sergeant Donnie D. Dixon, 37, of Miami, Florida. Dixon served on the personal security detachment for the commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, out of Fort Hood, TX, which is currently stationed at Ba'qubah.
Robert T. Ayres III, of Los Angeles, California	(2) The DoD has also identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in a small arms fire attack in a southern part of Baghdad on Saturday, September 29th: Sergeant Robert T. Ayres III, of Los Angeles, California. Ayres served in the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment out of Vilseck, Germany ... a squadron which lost another member last September 18th in the same area, Spc. Aaron Walker.

Monday, October 01, 2007 6:07 PM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier during combat operations in central Baghdad on Sunday, September 30th. 10 other U.S. soldiers, two Iraqi army troops, an interpreter, and an Iraqi civilian were wounded in the incident.

Monday, October 1, 2007 MNF- 3:31 PM - 1 INCOMING - Iraq is reporting the death of a U.S. soldier in a non-hostile accident in Qadisiya Province in the south of Iraq on Monday, October 1st (SEE CORRECTION BELOW). Another soldier was injured in the incident.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007 4:00 PM - UPDATE (CORRECTION) - The DoD has identified a soldier who died from a non-hostile cause in Diwaniyah in Qadisiya Province on Saturday, September 29th: Army National Guardsman Specialist Chirasak Vidhyarkorn, 32, of Queens, New York. CENTCOM did post a notice on October 2nd for a non-hostile death in Qadisiya Province, saying that it occurred "yesterday". Our feeling is that perhaps CENTCOM's notice publication was delayed ... and that "yesterday" was originally meant to be September 29th. The death listed in our database on October 1st will be removed in order to avoid inadvertently doubling up on deaths. Vidhyarkorn served with the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment, out of Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007 5:51 PM - UPDATE -

Chirasak Vidhyarkorn, 32, of Queens, New York

Newsday is reporting that Army Specialist Chirasak Vidhyarkorn, who died from a non-hostile, unspecified cause in Qadisiya Province, Iraq, on September 29th, was actually assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard out of Ozark, AR ... not the Mississippi ANG out of Camp Shelby as stated on the DoD release. Few details of Vidhyarkorn's life have been released at the request of his parents who are citizens of Thailand. They have obtained visas to travel to the U.S. and will be arriving in New York City for the funeral on the next available flight. The 32-year-old specialist lived in Queens, New York.

Thursday, October 11, 2007 6:36 AM - CORRECTION & UPDATE -
Randell Olguin, 24, of Ralls, Texas	On October 1st and October 2nd, MNF-Iraq issued two news releases for supposedly separate deaths that occurred on September 30th, here and here. Eleven days have elapsed since and the DoD has only identified one death for that day: Sergeant Randell Olguin, 24, of Ralls, Texas. Hence, we can only assume that MNF-Iraq doubled up on itself ... and Olguin was the only death on September 30th. One of the two deaths we had listed that day has been deleted and the death count reduced by one.
	The Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal reports that Sergeant Randy Olguin's unit was patrolling in Baghdad when it came under small arms fire, with Olguin the only death. An outstanding athlete, Olguin participated in every athletic endeavor his tiny high school in Ralls offered ... baseball, football, a year of basketball, and cross country. Running was his passion ... as was the Army. He enlisted just a week after graduating from high school in 2003. His family recalls him as "full of surprises", like the time he returned home on leave two years ago with a girlfriend, only to announce that the two were engaged to be married. Olguin was on his second tour of duty in Iraq and had recently re-enlisted.

Thursday, October 11, 2007 9:54 AM - 1 INCOMING - The Georgian Messanger has reported the death of a Georgian Army soldier at his base (FOB Delta) near Al Kut in Wassit Province, Iraq, on September 30th. All indications at this point are that 26-year-old Corporal Zurab Choghoshvili committed suicide by gunshot after receiving disturbing phone calls from home. (This entry is also posted on our September Iraq Archive.)