USMC

August 22, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Nickolas Lee Hopper, 27, of Montrose, Illinois, died Sept. 8, 2007 from wounds received while supporting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq, on June 20, 2005. Hopper’s final autopsy concluded his death was a result of wounds received in Iraq; however, Hopper was not previously identified as an OIF casualty.

He was assigned to the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group-28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Cherry Point, N.C.

Source: DoD

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

Lance Cpl. Travis M. Stottlemyer, 20, of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, died Aug. 17 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Manama, Bahrain.

He was assigned to the 3rd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Forces, Norfolk, Va.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Source: DoD

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

The following Marines died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan:

Cpl. Anthony G. Mihalo, 23, of Naperville, Illinois.

Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez-Castaneda, 19, of Mesa, Arizona.

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

Source: DoD

August 18, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Jacob J. Toves, 27, of Grover Beach, California, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Source: DoD

August 15, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Daniel A. C. McGuire, 19, of Mashpee, Massachusetts, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.

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

Source: DoD

August 14, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Michael H. Ferschke Jr., 22, of Maryville, Tennessee, died Aug. 10 while supporting combat operations in Salah ad Din province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Source: DOD

Honoring Illinois' Fallen

August 13, 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:

Cpl. Adam T. McKiski
United States Marine Corps
Hometown: Cherry Valley

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

Sunrise, Saturday, August 16, 2008 until
Sunset, Monday, August 18, 2008

Source: Illinois Governor

August 12, 2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the deaths of Cpl. Adam T. McKiski, of Cherry Valley, IL and Cpl. Stewart S. Trejo, of Whitefish, MT:

"Corporal Adam McKiski and Corporal Stewart Trejo are true patriots who fought proudly and bravely for their fellow citizens and for the ideals of this country. Californians will never forget their courage and sacrifice. Maria and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of these brave men during this difficult time."    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The following Marines died Aug. 7 while supporting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq:

Cpl. Adam T. McKiski, 21, of Cherry Valley, Illinois.

Cpl. Stewart S. Trejo, 25, of Whitefish, Montana.

The Marines were assigned to the 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Source: DOD

August 06, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Capt. Garrett T. Lawton, 31, of Charleston, West Virginia, died Aug. 4 while supporting combat operations in Herat province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Source: DOD

July 30, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Faoa L. Apineru, 31, of Yorba Linda, California, died July 2, 2007, from wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve.

Staff Sgt. Apineru was wounded on May 15, 2005. After his death on July 2, 2007, the initial medical examiner concluded that Apineru did not die from injuries sustained during his deployment, but a subsequent opinion by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology indicated that his death was a result of his injuries sustained in Iraq.

Source: DOD

July 21, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Danny P. Dupre, 28, of Lockport, Louisiana, died July 15 from wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

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

Source: DOD

July 18, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Lt. Jason D. Mann, 29, of Woodlynne, New Jersey, died July 17 from a non-hostile incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Source: DOD

July 17, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Jeffery S. Stevenson, 20, of Newton, New Jersey, died July 13 from a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Source: DOD

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