USMC

June 28, 2007 -- THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Thank you all for coming. Mr. Secretary, thank you for joining us. I am sending to the United States Senate my nomination of Admiral Mike Mullen to be America's next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And I'm sending my nomination of General James Cartwright to be the next Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.    » read more »

June 27, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Derek C. Dixon, 20, of Riverside, Ohio, died June 26 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Source: DoD

06/25/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Wilson of Duluth, GA and Sgt. Shawn P. Martin of Delmar, NY:

“Serving our country is a noble task that Staff Sergeant Stephen Wilson and Sergeant Shawn Martin performed with bravery and fortitude. They courageously stood proudly beside their fellow Marines to serve our country. We send our sincerest condolences to their family and friends in Georgia and New York.”    » read more »

June 22, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Shawn P. Martin, 30, of Delmar, New York
Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Wilson, 28, of Duluth, Georgia

Both Marines died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Both Marines were assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Source: DoD

6/15/2007 -- CAMP AL TAQADDAM, Iraq - The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit began operations in Al Anbar Province today, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Headquartered at Camp Al Taqaddam, Iraq, the California-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployed to Iraq as part of the troop surge in support of the Baghdad Security Plan (Operation Fardh al Qanoon).

The 13th MEU’s mission in Al Anbar includes route interdiction, patrolling and conducting searches.    » read more »

June 14, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Johnny R. Strong, 21, of Waco, Texas, died June 12 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Source: DoD

June 04, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Col. Michael A. Robinson, 42, of Sylacauga, Alabama, died June 1 in Kabul, Afghanistan. His death is under investigation.

Robinson was assigned to Mobilization Command, Deployment Processing Command, Marine Corps Installations East, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Source: DoD

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2007--The national commander of America’s oldest and largest organization of combat veterans is taking issue with an apparent attempt by the U.S. Marine Corps to bring administrative actions against three former Marines for their anti-war positions.

“This is about First Amendment rights and whether the military can discipline former servicemen who are in the inactive reserves,” said Gary Kurpius, who leads the 2.4 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries.    » read more »

May 31, 2007 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today directed that Colorado and U.S. flags at state facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday and Saturday to honor Marine Sgt. Nicholas R. Walsh.

Sgt. Walsh, 26, died in Fallujah, Iraq, on May 26 as a result of sniper fire. A vigil service is scheduled for Friday and a funeral Mass scheduled for Saturday in Fort Collins.

Source: Colorado Governor

May 30, 2007 -- The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Blagojevich’s Office to fly the United States and Illinois flags at State occupied buildings at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, June 1, 2007 for:

Lance Corporal Benjamin Desilets, United States Marine Corps

Source: Illinois Governor

05/30/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Villarreal, of Eagle Pass, TX:

“Lance Corporal Emmanuel Villarreal’s loyalty to his country is deeply appreciated. His courage and brave commitment to civic duty has protected the lives of his fellow Americans. Maria and I, along with all Californians, send our thoughts and prayers to Emmanuel’s family and friends.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2007 – Ten U.S. soldiers were killed and three were wounded in two incidents yesterday in Iraq, military officials reported. Eight other U.S. soldiers were killed and 12 were wounded in Iraq over the preceding several days. Also, the Defense Department released the identities of several servicemembers killed recently in the war on terror.    » read more »

May 29, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Villarreal, 21, of Eagle Pass, Texas, died May 27 from a non-hostile vehicle accident at Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait.

He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Source: DoD

May 29, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Nicholas R. Walsh, 27, of Millstadt, Illinois, died May 26 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Source: DoD

05/29/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Nicholas R. Walsh of Millstadt, Ill:

“It is with great admiration that Maria and I offer our condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Nicholas Walsh. As a member of our armed forces, he fulfilled a tremendous responsibility to our nation’s citizens. Today we honor Nicholas who gave his life in the service of his country and freedom.”    » read more »