Casualties

05/27/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Frank J. Gasper of Merced, CA:

“Sergeant Frank Gasper’s bravery is a shining example of the courage and determination that makes our nation strong. His dedication to preserving our nation’s freedom serves as inspiration to all Californians and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. Maria and I extend our prayers to Frank’s family and friends as they mourn this tremendous loss.”

Gasper, 25, died May 25 in Najaf, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Gasper was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, United States Army, Fort Carson, CO.    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Justin L. Buxbaum, 23, of South Portland, Maine, died May 26 in Kushamond, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood Texas.

The incident is under investigation.

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May 28, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Christopher Gathercole, 21, of Santa Rosa, California, died May 26 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

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May 28, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene, 37, of Castleton, Vermont, died May 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident on May 24.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The incident is under investigation.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. David L. Leimbach, 38, of Taylors, South Carolina, died May 25 near Bala Baluk, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry, South Carolina Army National Guard, Fountain Inn, S.C., and attached to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard.

Source: DOD

May 27, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Frank J. Gasper, 25, of Merced, California, died May 25 in Najaf, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, Fort Carson, Colo.

Source: DOD

May 27, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Blake W. Evans, 24, of Rockford, Illinois, died May 25 in Al Jazeera Desert, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Source: DOD

May 27, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Kyle P. Norris, 22, of Zanesville, Ohio, died May 23 in Balad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during a patrol May 22 in Jurf as Sakhr, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Source: DOD

May 23, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Howard A. Jones, Jr., 35, of Chicago, Illinois, died May 18 in Chicago from injuries sustained when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while on leave from the Iraq theater of operations.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Source: DOD

May 23, 2008 --The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Jeffrey A. Ammon, 37, of Orem, Utah, died May 20, as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device in the Aband District, Afghanistan.

The sailor was attached to Commander Navy Region Northwest, Bangor, Wash., and serving in Afghanistan as a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni.

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May 21, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died May 18 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Pvt. Branden P. Haunert, 21, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral, for which arrangements are pending.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- The Department of Defense today announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Lt. Jeffrey F. Deprimo, 35, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, died May 20 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Williamsport, Pa.

   » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Col. Joseph A. Moore, 54, of Boise, Idaho, died of natural causes May 20 in Djibouti.

He was assigned to the 124th Wing, Idaho Air National Guard, Gowen Field, Idaho.

Source: DOD

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

Master Sgt. Davy N. Weaver, 39, of Barnesville, Georgia, died May 18 in Qalat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Macon, Ga.

   » read more »

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

Pvt. Branden P. Haunert, 21, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died May 18 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.    » read more »