Casualties

08 June 2008 -- U.S. and Iraqi officials say a suicide truck bomber has killed an American soldier and wounded 18 others at a military base in northern Iraq.

The bomber blew up his vehicle Sunday near the patrol base in the town of Rashad in Kirkuk province. Two Iraqi contractors also were wounded in the attack. Gunmen killed three U.S. soldiers in the same province last Wednesday.

Iraqi officials say attacks elsewhere in the country killed at least 12 Iraqis on Sunday. In one incident, five shepherds were shot dead east of the capital, Baghdad.

In another incident, a bomb exploded outside a police center in western Baghdad, killing four police recruits and wounding 23 other people.    » read more »

June 03, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Christopher D. McCarthy, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died 1 June 2008 at Forward Operating Base Ramadi, Iraq.

His death is under investigation. He was assigned to the U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint Reserve Unit, Norfolk, Va.

   » read more »

Flag lowering honors fallen sailor from Bremerton

June 3, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, June 4, in memory of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jeffrey A. Ammon of Bremerton who was killed in action in Afghanistan May 23.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Wednesday or first thing Thursday morning, June 5.

Last year, Congress amended the U.S. Flag Code to give governors the authority to lower flags when a state resident in the military is killed in the line of duty. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition

Source: Washington Governor

June 3, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Spc. Justin L. Buxbaum, Governor John E. Baldacci has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

Spc. Buxbaum died in a non-combat related incident last month in Kushamond, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Visiting hours for Spc. Buxbaum are from 2-6 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway in South Portland. A funeral service is planned for 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, at Holy Cross Church on the corner of Broadway and Cottage Road in South Portland.

Source: Maine Governor

06/02/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. 1st Class David Nunez, of Los Angeles, CA:

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Sergeant First Class David Nunez, who fought with pride and honor to preserve the liberties of his fellow citizens. We will forever remember his service and sacrifice given in the name freedom. Maria and I send our thoughts and prayers to David's family and friends as they mourn this extraordinary loss."

Nunez, 27, died May 29 in Shewan, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire while conducting combat operations. Nunez was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, United States Army, Fort Bragg, NC.    » read more »

June 02, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 31 in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

They were assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany.

Killed were:

Spc. James M. Finley, 21, of Lebanon, Missouri.    » read more »

June 02, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Justin R. Mixon, 22, of Bogalusa, Louisiana, died June 1 in Baghdad Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

   » read more »

June 02, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Christian S. Cotner, 20, of Waterbury, Connecticut, died May 30 from a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Source: DOD

06/02/2008 - WASHINGTON - Wounded servicemembers in need of accommodations for their visual, hearing, dexterity and cognitive disabilities are the fastest-growing group requesting assistive technologies, a senior Defense Department official said in a May 29 interview.

“Recently, we have been overwhelmed with requests from our wounded servicemembers as they are coming back and also learning that they need to have a different type of technology or can benefit from assistive technology,” Dinah Cohen, director of the department’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, or CAP, said on the “Dot Mil Docs” program on BlogTalkRadio.com.    » read more »

Honoring Illinois' Fallen

May 30, 2008 -- The Illinois Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Blagojevich’s Office to fly the flags at State occupied buildings at half-staff on behalf of:

Sgt. Blake W. Evans
United States Army
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois

Please immediately lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency’s personnel from:

Sunrise, June 2, 2008 until sunset, June 4, 2008

Source: Illinois Governor

May 31, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class David Nunez, 27, of Los Angeles, California, died May 29 in Shewan, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire while conducting combat operations.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

   » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pfc. Chad M. Trimble, 29, of West Covina, California, died May 28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – The death of a soldier from South Portland has been confirmed by the Department of Defense. Maine Governor John E. Baldacci mourned the soldier, who has ties to Maine. Spc. Justin L. Buxbaum died as a result of wounds received in a non-combat related incident on May 26 in Kushamond, Afghanistan. Spc. Buxbaum was from South Portland.

“All of Maine joins in mourning this promising young man,” said Governor Baldacci. “The loss is difficult to bear for the family, and we recognize that the community of South Portland has now suffered its third loss in the wars overseas. My prayers are with Spc. Buxbaum’s family and friends.”

Spc. Buxbaum was assigned to the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.    » read more »

05/29/2008 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Pfc. Chad M. Trimble of West Covina, CA:

"Private First Class Trimble served with honor, integrity and unrelenting dedication to our country and his fellow soldiers. He was a true patriot and his selflessness will never be forgotten. Maria and I join all Californians in offering our condolences to Chad's loved ones during this difficult time."

Trimble, 29, died May 28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Trimble was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), United States Army, Fort Campbell, KY.    » read more »

05/28/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Spc. Christopher Gathercole, of Santa Rosa, CA:

“Maria and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Specialist Christopher Gathercole. He served with courage, determination and patriotism and Californians will forever remember his sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with Christopher’s family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time.”

Gathercole, 21, died May 26 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations. Gathercole was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, United States Army, Fort Lewis, WA.

In honor of Spc. Gathercole, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.    » read more »