Saturday, October 06, 2007 5:40 PM - 1 INCOMING -

Rachael L. Hugo, 24, of Madison, Wisconsin

The DoD has identified the Multi-National Corps - Iraq soldier who died in an IED and small arms fire attack on her unit near Bayji in Salah ad Din Province on Friday, October 5th: Specialist Rachael L. Hugo, 24, of Madison, Wisconsin. (Yesterday we had thought that this CENTCOM release applied to Sgt. Ricardo Rodriguez, but it obviously applies to Hugo. As a military policeman, Hugo likely was assigned to MNC-I. So Rodriguez becomes a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM.) Hugo was with the Army Reserves' 303rd Military Police Company out of Jackson, MI.

Monday, October 08, 2007 4:04 PM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Multi-National Force - West Marine from enemy action in Al Anbar Province on Monday, October 8th.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007 6:59 AM - 1 INCOMING & UPDATE -
Vincent George Kamka, 23, of Everett, Washington	(1) The DoD has announced a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM. Task Force Lightning soldier Specialist Vincent George Kamka, 23, of Everett, Washington, died in the vicinity of Bayji in Salah ad Din Province on Thursday, October 4th. His unit, the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, NC), was stationed at FOB Summerall in Bayji. The DoD did not indicate on the release whether Kamka's death was from enemy action or not. A brief article that appears in the Idaho Falls (Idaho) Press-Tribune would seem to indicate that Kamka was actually from Idaho. According to that source, he graduated from high school in Idaho Falls in 2003. His mother had written a letter to the editor of that paper in 2006 in which she stated that Kamka's three brothers had all served or were serving in the military, as had his father.
	(2) The DoD has identified the two Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers who died in an improvised explosive device attack in southeastern Baghdad on Friday, October 5th:
		Sergeant Joseph Bradley Milledge, 23, of Pointblank, Texas
		Specialist Jason N. Marchand, 26, of Greenwood, West Virginia
		The Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald is reporting that Milledge was actually from Glenwood, Iowa, graduating from high school there in 2002. His mother and sister still live in Glenwood. After high school, Milledge moved to Texas for a short time, joining the Army there in 2004. He married a woman from Washington State shortly after that, possibly while stationed there. He deployed to Iraq for the first time in 2004-2005, after which his duty station became Vilseck, Germany. This past August, his unit, the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, deployed to Iraq again, but not before he had a chance to return to Glenwood to see his young son baptized in nearby Council Bluffs. His relatives describe him as a compassionate man ... and also an avid reader of religion and philosophy who used to say, "Don't let schooling get in the way of education." He tried to return to Glenwood as often as he could to maintain ties with his seven brothers and sisters ... and nine nieces and nephews.
		The Charleston (West Virginia) Gazette quotes Marchand's mother as stating that he ane Milledge died when they were searching houses and a bomb went off in one of them. Marchand had graduated from high school in 2000 where he played on the football and track teams. His football coach said of him, "He was a good student, a good human being and he would do anything you asked of him." Marchand is survived by his wife, a 6-year-old daughter, his mother, and two brothers.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007 7:26 AM - 1 INCOMING -

Benjamin Dillon, 22, of Edinburg, Ohio

The Ravenna (Ohio) Record-Courier is reporting the death of a U.S. Army Ranger on Saturday, October 6th: Benjamin Dillon, 22, of Edinburg, Ohio. His family has only been told at this point that Dillon died "while on active duty in the Middle East". However, his relatives believe he was serving in Iraq. Dillon, who graduated from high school in 2004, had his heart set on becoming an Army Ranger. Despite the rigors of two years of training at Fort Benning, GA, he eventually achieved just that. His mother recalled a story he told of a training incident in which he was sleeping out-of-doors when a spider crawled on him. He said he left it right where it was because it was so cold that night that he needed the extra body heat. Just two weeks prior to his death, Dillon was able to spend time on leave home with his family before he left on his fourth deployment. He was the youngest of three sons.

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. (This entry is also posted on our September Iraq Archive.)
	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.

Friday, October 12, 2007 7:07 AM - UPDATES -
	(1) The DoD has confirmed the death of Army Sergeant Jason M. Lantieri, 25, of Killingworth, Connecticut, from injuries he received in a vehicle accident on October 9th. He died on the 10th in Iskandariyah, Babil Province. According to an Associated Press article, he was injured while performing late night vehicle maneuvers when he became pinned between two vehicles.
Eric T. Duckworth, 26, of Plano, Texas	(2) The DoD has identified the Multi-National Corps - Iraq soldier who died in an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Baghdad on Wednesday, October 10th: Staff Sergeant Eric T. Duckworth, 26, of Plano, Texas. He was assigned to the 759th Military Police Battalion out of Fort Carson, CO.

Friday, October 12, 2007 8:36 AM - UPDATE - The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch is reporting the death of a Piqua, Ohio, native in the indirect fire attack on Camp Victory in Baghdad on Thursday, October 11th: Army Reserve Specialist Samuel Pearson, 28. That attack on one of the largest U.S. bases in Iraq killed two and injured 40. Pearson was described by his sister-in-law as a "quiet guy, but a sweet guy". He graduated from high school in Piqua in 1998, and then went on to earn a degree in economics from Otterbein College in 2003. Pearson then went to work for several businesses in Columbus, but felt the need for something more in his life and signed up with the Army Reserve in September of 2006. His unit was deployed to Iraq last August. Pearson was serving with the army's Finance Corps at the time of his death. The oldest of five children, 4 boys and a girl, he is survived by his parents and his siblings.

Saturday, October 13, 2007 5:53 AM - UPDATE & 1 INCOMING -
	(1) The DoD has identified the two army reservists who died in a rocket attack on Camp Victory in Baghdad on Wednesday, October 10th:
		Staff Sergeant Lillian Clamens, 35, of Lawton, Oklahoma
		Specialist Samuel F. Pearson, 28, of Westerville, Ohio
		Omaha (Nebraska) station Action 3 News quotes Clamen's relatives as saying that it was the hard work, structure and athletic lifestyle that drew her to the military. There was nothing else they could picture her doing. "She'd wake you up at four o'clock in the morning and then if you didn't make your bed right she'd make you do it again until the quarter bounced off it," said her sister. Clamens grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, according to the article, graduating from Omaha Central High School in 1990. She had served in the Army Reserve for more than 15 years, currently with a postal company ... and had just re-enlisted for another 6 years. Most recently, Clamens, her husband, two daughters and a son called Florida home. She died just days away from her scheduled return home.
Donald L. Munn II, 25, of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan	(2) The DoD has announced a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM. Army Staff Sergeant Donald L. Munn II, 25, of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, died Thursday, October 11th, in Baghdad of wounds he received when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. According to a Detroit News interview with his grandmother, he and his platoon were clearing houses in Baghdad when Munn sensed something was wrong. He focused on getting his men out of the house they were searching, but as the last to leave, was himself caught in the bomb blast that followed. Munn had graduated from Lakeshore High School in 2000, and had attended a year of college at Western Michigan University before enlisting in the army. He was currently on his second deployment to Iraq. Recently he had married a fellow army soldier from California whom he had met in Germany and with whom he had had a 17-month-old daughter.

Sunday, October 14, 2007 3:42 AM - 1 INCOMING -
Nathan Z. Thacker, 18, of Greenbrier, Arkansas	The DoD has announced a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM. Army Private Nathan Z. Thacker, 18, of Greenbrier, Arkansas, died in a roadside bombing in the vicinity of Kirkuk on Friday, October 12th. He was based out of Fort Drum, NY, and assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division.

Sunday, October 14, 2007 3:41 PM - 2 INCOMING -
	(1) MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier in an improvised esplosive device attack in a southern neighborhood of Baghdad on Sunday, October 14th. Three other soldiers were wounded in the incident.
	(2) MNF-Iraq is also reporting the death of a Task Force Lightning soldier from a non-hostile, unspecified cause in Ninawa Province in the north of Iraq on Sunday, October 14th.

Monday, October 15, 2007 10:16 AM - UPDATE -

Frank L. Cady III, 20, of Sacramento, California

The DoD has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in a vehicle rollover accident in southern Baghdad on Wednesday, October 10th: Specialist Frank L. Cady III, 20, of Sacramento, California. A brief article from Sacramento's News 10 station states that family members confirmed that Cady's vehicle rolled over several times and that the army is investigating the cause. According to his mother, Cady was always a top student in school, winning a prestigious Presidential Academic Achievement Award in the sixth grade that was signed by President Clinton. He graduated with honors from high school and then enlisted in the Army. His family described him as a "force of nature" for his energy and unpredictability. "He will be missed, loved ..."

Monday, October 15, 2007 3:19 PM - UPDATE & 1 INCOMING -
Kenneth J. Iwasinski, 22, of West Springfield, Massachusetts	(1) The DoD has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who was killed in a roadside bombing in south Baghdad on Sunday, October 14th: Private 1st Class Kenneth J. Iwasinski, 22, of West Springfield, Massachusetts. A brief article printed in the Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican says that Iwasinski was from Belchertown, Massachusetts, and had been raised by his father and stepmother, living with them until he enlisted in the army in March 2006. He had already been deployed to Iraq for a year and would have been scheduled to return home shortly had his tour of duty not been extended. Iwasinski was the gunner in a Humvee when the bomb exploded, taking his life.
Justin S. Monschke, 28, of Krum, Texas	(2) The DoD has announced a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM. Army Sergeant 1st Class Justin S. Monschke, 28, of Krum, Texas, was killed in an improvised explosive device attack southeast of Baghdad in the vicinity of Arab Jabour in Babil Province on Sunday, October 14th. According to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Monschke was conducting a dismounted movement to a suspected enemy position when the bomb struck. Monschke began his military career in June of 1997 when he enlisted in the army and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Eventually he not only served as an instructor at the U.S. Army Ranger Training Battalion in Dahlonega, GA, but also as a squad leader and Observer/Controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA. Monschke began his current assignment with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Bragg, NC, in April 2006. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, a son, a stepson and his parents.

Monday, October 15, 2007 4:05 PM - UPDATE & 1 INCOMING -
Jason B. Koutroubas, 21, of Dunnellon, Florida	(1) The DoD has identified the Task Force Lightning soldier who died from a non-hostile, unspecified cause in Tal Afar, Ninawa Province, on Sunday, October 14th: Specialist Jason B. Koutroubas, 21, of Dunnellon, Florida. Koutroubas was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion for 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Bliss, TX.
Thomas M. Martin, 27, of Ward, Arkansas	(2) The DoD is announcing another new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM. 1st Lieutenant Thomas M. Martin, 27, of Ward, Arkansas, died in a small arms fire attack in the vicinity of Al Busayifi (which we believe is southeast of Baghdad near Al Jabour in Babil Province) on Sunday, October 14th. Martin's unit, the 1st Squadron of the 40th Cavalry Regiment (25th Infantry Division out of Fort Richardson, AK), had been operating between Camp Falcon (at Rasheed Air Base in southeast Baghdad) and Arab Jabour in Babil as a part of Task Force Marne.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 6:23 AM - 1 INCOMING -

Sarah Holmes, 26, from Wantage in Oxfordshire, England

The British Ministry of Defense is announcing the death of one of their soldiers supporting Operation Telic in Iraq. Lance Corporal Sarah Holmes, 26, from Wantage in Oxfordshire, England, was seriously injured while delivering mail on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar when her car was involved in a collision with a truck on October 3rd. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital and was flown back to Britain from there. Unfortunately, she died of her injuries in Britain on Sunday, October 14th, with her next of kin at her bedside. Holmes enlisted in the British Army in 1997 and had seen deployments to Northern Ireland, Iraq, Yugoslavia, Kenya and Poland. She is described by those who knew her as completely "at home" in the army, and utterly dedicated to ensuring the timely delivery of mail to troops in the field. Holmes is survived by her parents and a brother.

Thursday, October 18, 2007 10:47 AM - 1 INCOMING -

Micheal D. Brown, 20, of Williamsburg, Kansas

The DoD is announcing the death of Spc. Micheal D. Brown, 20, of Williamsburg, Kansas, who died Tuesday, October 16th in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Germany, of a non-combat related illness after being transported from Tikrit, Iraq on Oct.15. He was an aviation operations specialist assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Friday, October 19, 2007 8:13 AM - UPDATE -
Vincent A. Madero, 22, of Port Hueneme, California	The DoD has identified the Task Force Lightning soldier who died in a roadside bombing in Balad in Salah ad Din Province on Wednesday, October 17th: Specialist Vincent A. Madero, 22, of Port Hueneme, California. Madero was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division based out of Fort Hood, TX.

Friday, October 19, 2007 10:42 AM - 1 INCOMING - 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 a southern neighborhood of Baghdad on Thursday, October 18th. One other soldier was wounded in the incident.

Saturday, October 20, 2007 7:17 AM - UPDATE -

Jarred S. Fontenot, 35, of Port Barre, Louisiana

The DoD has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in an attack involving an improvised explosive device and small arms fire in southern Baghdad on Thursday, October 18th: Staff Sergeant Jarred S. Fontenot, 35, of Port Barre, Louisiana. Articles on Fontenot have appeared in the Colorado Springs (Colorado) Gazette and also the Lafayette (Louisiana) Daily Advertiser. Fontenot's father died when he has 9-years-old ... and his mother died three years later. So he lived with his grandparents from the age of 12. His relatives say that he always talked about serving in the military, and from a very early age. During high school he was known as "one hard-nosed football player ... You couldn't hurt this guy physically at all. He was tough," remembered his coach. After high school, Fontenot was a police officer up until the time he signed up with the army in December of 1993. At one point he got out, joining the National Guard. But his guard unit was deployed to Iraq. Afterwards, he re-enlisted in the regular army and was on his second Iraq deployment when he was killed. He is survived by a wife and four children.

Saturday, October 20, 2007 2:50 PM - 1 INCOMING - MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier in a roadside bombing in an eastern neighborhood of Baghdad on Thursday, October 18th. Eight other soldier were wounded in the attack.

Sunday, October 21, 2007 6:50 AM - UPDATE & 1 INCOMING -
Wayne M. Geiger, 23, of Lone Pine, California	(1) The DoD has identified the Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldier who died in a roadside bombing in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, October 18th: Specialist Wayne M. Geiger, 23, of Lone Pine, California. The Eastern Sierra (California) station KSRW has a brief article out on Geiger who graduated from high school in Lone Pine in 2003. He had enlisted in the Army in October 2005 and had deployed to Iraq in September of 2007. Geiger was assigned to the rapid reaction force 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, out of Vilseck, Germany. He is survived by his parents, his sister, and many other relatives and friends.
Erik T. Garoutte, 22, of Santee, California	(2) The DoD is announcing a new death, not previously reported by CENTCOM. U.S. Marine Corporal Erik T. Garoutte, 22, of Santee, California, died in Baghdad on Friday, October 19th. The DoD release did not give a cause of death, saying only that he was assigned to 1st Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company based out of Norfolk, VA. The Associated Press quoted a Marine spokesman from Camp Lejeune, NC, as saying only that the death was "as a result of unknown causes." An article in the Virginian-Pilot provides a few more details about his military career. Garoutte had enlisted in the Marine Corps in November of 2005 and had received his promotion to Corporal last June.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 2 INCOMING -
	The Department of Defense announced today the death of two sailors who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Oct. 22 in Bahrain during a non-combat related incident. Both sailors held the Master-at-Arms rating and were assigned to U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
		Seaman Anamarie San Nicolas Camacho, 20, of Panama City, Florida (and formerly from Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)
		Seaman Genesia Mattril Gresham, 19, of Lithonia, Georgia
	The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, but multiple media reports and a Navy spokesman all indicate both young women were killed by a male navy serviceman, who then shot himself, and who remains critically wounded. The identity of the shooter has not been released, although the Gulf Daily News is reporting his identity as Clarence Jackson. It also states that Jackson is in a deep coma, with little chance of surviving. USWarWatch will await offical confirmation of his identity.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:55 PM - 2 INCOMING -
	MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of a Coalition Forces Soldier who died of wounds as a result of injuries from a mine explosion while conducting operations in Salah ad Din Province on Wednesday, Oct. 24th. Three CF Soldiers were also wounded, and two were transported to a Coalition medical facility for treatment. No further information was given.
	MNF-Iraq is reporting the death of an MNC-I Soldier who was killed on Wednesday, October 24th during combat operations near the city of Bayji. Five other Soldiers were wounded. No further information was given .

 

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