USMC

June 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, 20, of Tacoma, Washington

Lance Cpl. Layton Bradly Crass, 22, of Richmond, Indiana

Pfc. Dawid Pietrek, 24, of Bensenville, Illinois

Pfc. Michael Robert Patton, 19, of Fenton, Missouri

All four Marines died June 14 while supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan.

They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Source: DOD

June 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Kelly E. C. Watters, 19, of Virginia Beach, Virginia died June 11, from wounds suffered while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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June 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Javier Perales Jr., 19, of San Elizario, Texas, died June 11, from a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Source: DOD

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

05/28/2008 - WASHINGTON - This week the Army and Marine Corps announced an increase, while the Navy and Air Force announced a decrease. The Coast Guard number remained the same. The net collective result is 410 more reservists mobilized than last week.    » read more »

May 20, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cpl. William J. L. Cooper, 22, of Eupora, Mississippi, died May 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea , May 11, 2008 – Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is steaming to support potential humanitarian-assistance operations in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma May 1 and 2.

Marines prepare for a humanitarian mission to Burma: Photo courtesy DOD

Some estimates have put the death toll at more than 100,000. So far, the Burmese military government has allowed only one U.S. shipment of relief supplies.    » read more »

May 08, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova, 22, of McComb, Mississippi.

Cpl. Miguel A. Guzman, 21, of Norwalk, California.

Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple, 21, of Carroll, Ohio

Sgt. Glen E. Martinez, 31, of Boulder, Colorado.

All four Marines died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq, supporting combat operations.

They were assigned to the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Source: DOD

05/08/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the deaths of Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova of McComb, MS; Cpl. Miguel A. Guzman of Norwalk, CA; Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple of Carroll, OH; and Sgt. Glen E. Martinez of Boulder, CO:

"The sacrifices made by these four extraordinary patriots will be remembered forever by the people of California. They served our country with honor, loyalty and an unwavering commitment to the cause of liberty for all. Maria and I extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of these brave American heroes during this time of mourning."    » read more »

May 01, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Merlin German, 22 of Manhattan, New York, died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Feb. 22, 2005.

He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif., while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

German’s parent unit was the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was medically retired Sept. 28, 2007, as a result of his injuries.    » read more »

05/01/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Merlin German, of Manhattan, NY:

"We are forever indebted to Sergeant Merlin German, a true patriot who gave his life to safeguard democracy. Merlin's courage and unfailing loyalty serve as an inspiration to Americans everywhere. Maria and I join the people of California in offering our deepest condolences to Merlin's family, friends and fellow Marines during this time of mourning."    » read more »

April 25, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter, 19, of Sag Harbor, New York

Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale, 21, of Burkeville, Virginia

Both Marines died April 22 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

Haerter was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Yale was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.    » read more »

April 24, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1st Lt. Matthew R. Vandergrift, 28 of Littleton, Colorado, died April 21 from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Basrah, Iraq.

He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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April 18, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Sgt. Luke J. Mercardante, 35, of Athens, Georgia

Cpl. Kyle W. Wilks, 24, of Rogers, Arkansas

Both Marines died April 15 while conducting combat operations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

They were both assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejuene, N.C.

Source: DOD

April 15, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Richard J. Nelson, 23, of Racine, Wis.

Lance Cpl. Dean D. Opicka, 29, of Waukesha, Wis.

Both Marines died April 14 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

They were both assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Milwaukee, Wis.

Source: DOD