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