Operation Iraqi Freedom 1-3

 

Operation Iraqi Freedom
 Stories of the 3rd Division in Iraq

Last Update February 15, 2019  

       
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Discovery Channel Documentary
I am currently working on a documentary for the Discovery Military Channel, which will focus on the 2003 Battle of Baghdad. This will be a one hour documentary film, which will feature as part of a wider series that looks at decisive battles in military history. The narrative will focus on specific decisive missions, the men and women who fought in them and the weapons they used. We’ll tell their key roles in creating the turning points within each historic battle.

I have initially been in touch with the Public Relations Office at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, and they have recommended getting in touch with the 3rd Infantry Army Society as they believe many of the individuals involved with the Battle of Baghdad may be members.

For this I am hoping to speak to individuals who fought in the Battle of Baghdad; who may be able to assist me with my research, and are able to go into detail with the key factors that shaped the course of the battle. Perhaps if we were able to arrange a time to speak on the telephone, we can discuss the production further and talk more in depth about the battle itself?

It has been fascinating reading various articles and books on the battle, and it would be an honour to speak to some of those who were directly involved on the ground; so thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you. If you had any questions at all, please feel free to send them my way.

With Regards,
John Owens
john.owens@arrowmedia.com
Office +44 20 3427 3789 Direct: +44 20 3427 3795 www.arrowmedia.com
Gilmoora House 57-61 Mortimer Street London W1W 8HS 

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Troops' Return Marks End of
3rd Infantry Tour in Iraq
The Associated Press - January 26, 2006 - SAVANNAH, Ga.

Closing a month booked solid with day-and-night arrivals of thousands of Army troops from Iraq, Fort Stewart prepared Wednesday for its final large homecoming for the 3rd Infantry Division. The return of about 240 soldiers scheduled late Wednesday marked, at least symbolically, the end of the 19,000-soldier division's yearlong deployment to Iraq _ its second tour since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

"It's a milestone," said Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Fort Stewart spokesman. "This flight represents the soldiers who make up the end of what we call the main body." In other words, not quite everybody's home. Not quite everybody's home. Major General William Webster, the division commander, says about 100 Third Infantry troops remain in Kuwait preparing the division's equipment to be shipped home. They should be back in early February.

Ceremonies reuniting soldiers with their families have been an almost daily ritual at Fort Stewart, about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, since soldiers began returning by the hundreds two days after Christmas. Families packed the bleachers at the southeast Georgia Army post's parade grounds, cheering and waving flags as the troops marched onto the field in formation just after 9:20 p-m. It was Fort Stewart's 60th homecoming celebration in the past month.

The 3rd Infantry, which helped lead the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, was the first Army division tapped by the Pentagon for a second Iraq tour. Most of its soldiers, including an infantry brigade based at Fort Benning in Columbus, deployed in January 2005. The division's core mission was to secure Baghdad during a landmark year in which Iraqi voters approved a national constitution and elected a permanent government.

It also proved to be a violent period. At least 105 soldiers of the 3rd Infantry died during its yearlong deployment.

Russ Bynum has covered the military based in Georgia since 2001.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

 

4th BCT takes charge in ‘International Zone’
By Pfc. Jason Dangel, 4th BCT PAO, 4ID

BAGHDAD –Jan.14, 2006- After a successful transition with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the 4th Infantry Division’s Cobra Brigade is ready for its first mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Commanders Share a Moment


U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Jason Dangel (4BCT, 4ID PAO)

Col. Michael F. Beech, Commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Col. Edward Cardon, Commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division share a moment after a Transfer of Authority ceremony Jan. 14 at Forward Operating Base Prosperity. The ceremony marked the official hand-over of responsibilities from the 3rd Infantry Division’s “Vanguard” Brigade to the “Cobra” Brigade.

 The 4th Brigade Combat Team took command of central and southern Baghdad as Col. Michael Beech, 4th BCT, commander, and Command Sergeant Major John Moody, Jr., unfurled the brigade colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Prosperity January 14. The ceremony marked the start of Task Force Cobra’s first deployment since its activation Dec. 16, 2004.

“This unit was formed specifically for this mission a year ago,” explained Beech, a native of Worchester, Mass. “We spent the last 12 months prior to this deployment focused on coming to Iraq to do this mission.  After a year of preparing for this operation and building this brigade, it is a phenomenal thing to see it all come together here in Iraq.”

As the battalions of Task Force Cobra execute their missions, their primary focuses will be: securing a key infrastructure of Iraq’s new government, the International Zone, partnering and developing Iraqi Security Forces and helping the ISF defeat Anti-Iraqi Forces. “During the short time the U.S. Army has been here, we’ve seen great strides in the Iraqi Security Forces’ ability to defeat the Anti-Iraqi Forces and secure the population,” Beech said. “During our time here, their ability will increase.”

Over the last few days, he said, the Soldiers on the ground have been extraordinarily successful identifying a variety of threats. “Every day,” said Beech, “there are dozens of examples where our Soldiers and leaders on the ground are making a huge difference, getting this country closer to a self-sustaining, independent democracy.

Created as a unit of action under the U.S. Army’s force restructuring, the 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., manned, equipped and trained nearly 4,000 Soldiers in less than one year and began deploying personnel to Camp Buehring, Kuwait late November. Each Cobra Soldier completed additional training focused on improvised-explosive devices, cultural awareness, conducting preventive maintenance checks and perform pre-combat inspections before leaving for Baghdad.

After fine tuning their weapons and combat knowledge, the Cobra Brigade began its trek into Baghdad, arriving just in time for the holiday season where many Soldiers celebrated Christmas and the New Year at their assigned forward operating bases.

Shortly after the holiday festivities subsided, leaders from the 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., the “Vanguard Brigade” from Fort Stewart, Ga., helped their replacements take the lead in daily operations as a final transition between the two brigades.  “I feel that our transition with the 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. was absolutely superb,” Beech said. “It really served as the capstone event and put the finishing touches on this brigade as we ready ourselves for this mission.”

As the Vanguard Brigade returns to its home station, Task Force Cobra has assumed responsibility of building upon, and adding to, its accomplishments in Iraq. “The 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. had a very successful rotation,” said Moody, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Many Soldiers from their units lost their lives while they were here,” he said. “They gave their lives for a great cause, and we intend to build upon all the success they achieved.” The Cobra Brigade will play a critical role in the success of the new Iraqi government as the people of Iraq work to make history, he concluded.

 

Nearly All 3rd ID Soldiers Home


Staff Sgt. Alexander Collier, of the 3rd Aviation Regiment, hugs 3-year-old daughter Kiana
at a Hunter Army Airfield homecoming ceremony Saturday. U.S. Army Photos


Col. Ronald Tuggle, Aviation Brigade commander, is welcomed home as he departs the commercial aircraft
that brought about 200 soldiers back to Hunter Army Airfield Saturday. U.S. Army Photo

Savannah Morning News-January 16, 2006
About 800 3rd Infantry Division soldiers returned to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield during the weekend after a year in Iraq. Soldiers from the division's 2nd Brigade, 4th Brigade, Division Support Brigade and Aviation Brigade were among those returning. Since the 3rd ID began its redeployment last month, about 16,750, or nearly 90 percent of the division, has returned.

 

Baby Noor: Getting her from Iraq to America
10th Mountain Div. takes care of the details
BY Pfc. Jason Jordan
1st BCT, 10th Mountain Div PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq –Jan.16, 2006- The world has been intrigued over the last several days with the touching story about young Baby Noor – an Iraqi child suffering from spina bifida taken into care by American Soldiers.
The Soldiers found Baby Noor during a cordon and knock in Abu Ghraib and took her under care, providing for her and asking for a collective effort to get the child to the United States for a life-saving surgery.
Baby Noor has since arrived in America and began receiving professional care, but the process of how she got from Iraq to America is both touching and complex.
After the Soldiers decided to take young Noor into their care and get her help in America, they faced several legal and logistical challenges that had to be taken care of immediately.

“The Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry were prepared to get Baby Noor from Kuwait to the U.S., but getting her to Kuwait required some hurdles to be crossed,” said Maj. Olga Anderson, judge advocate, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, who coordinated the legal effort to get Noor help. The two biggest challenges faced were getting permission to fly Iraqi citizens on a military plane to the United States and acquiring passports in a short amount of time, she said. The executive officer for the 1st Brigade Combat Team put together a team that was in charge of working through the logistics of getting Baby Noor from Iraq to Kuwait.

This team worked fervently around the clock, coordinating with numerous organizations for a collective effort to get things done quickly and proficiently, said Maj. Jimmy Bradford, executive officer, 1st BCT. During this process, Soldiers cared for Baby Noor and her family in their living quarters, provided them food, clothing and medical examinations to ensure the baby was physically fit to make the journey.

Because of the regulations on who is allowed to fly on military flights, special permission had to be granted from higher headquarters. “Providing care for Baby Noor is in the best interest of Multi-National Division – Baghdad and operations in Iraq because it facilitates our continued resolve to assist the Iraqi population and ensure they are provided with adequate healthcare,” said Bradford, in a memo to 3rd Inf. Div. headquarters command.

The Soldiers would discover, however, that gaining support and approval would not be a problem at all for it was clear that everyone wanted to help, said Anderson. “The number of people that dedicated time and effort to allowing (Baby Noor) to fly on a military plane to get help in the U.S. is phenomenal,” said Anderson. Not long after the request was sent higher, 3rd Inf. Div. sent back a memo allowing Baby Noor and her family to fly on the military flight.

“Allowing (Baby Noor) to fly on our plane was related to our mission in Iraq and furthers the Department of Defense interests to rebuild the Iraqi nation,” said Gen. George Casey, commanding general, Multi-National Forces - Iraq.
Once permission to fly Baby Noor and her family on a military flight was granted, the Soldiers then had to work on getting the family a visa or passport in order to get into the United States, said Anderson.

The Embassy needed a point of contact with the Soldiers to gather information about the family and their background in order to produce Public Benefit Parole documents that would work as passports for the family. “The coordination and effort that occurred throughout this process is amazing,” said Anderson. “This family received passports in less than 48 hours.”
Due to the fact that the Soldiers could not be home with their families for the holidays, they seem to have put together a truly great effort to help the family of Baby Noor, she said.

The world-wide interest in Baby Noor and her family was a positive event for the Soldiers involved, said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Sonen, platoon leader, Company C, 1-121 Inf., the unit that initially discovered Baby Noor. Soldiers do the same things for Iraqi families each day, he said, but without such attention from the media. “I think it is great that Soldiers have the opportunity to assist local national individuals in this way and have a positive impact,” said Anderson.

 

3ID passes responsibility to 4ID during
‘Transfer of Authority’
By Master Sgt. Eric Lobsinger
Task Force Ironhorse PAO


Maj. Gen. William Webster Jr., commanding general, 3rd inf. Div. (left); Lt. Gen. John Vines, commanding general,
Multi-National Corps-Iraq; and Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commanding general, 4th inf. Div., salute the flag during the
Transfer of Authority ceremony held at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Saturday.
(Army photo by Sgt. Ann Drier, 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment).

BAGHDAD –Jan.7, 2006- As Iraqi Army and coalition partners looked on, the 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions commemorated the completion of their “Transfer of Authority” during a ceremony at the Multi-National Division-Baghdad headquarters at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Maj. Gen. William Webster Jr., the commanding general of 3rd Inf. Div., along with Command Sgt. Maj. William Grant, officially cased the “Marne” Division’s colors, signifying the successful completion of the division’s mission as the Multi-National Division-Baghdad from Feb. 28, 2005 through Jan. 7, 2006. The division colors will again be uncased during a ceremony after its redeployment back to Fort Stewart, Ga.
Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, the commanding general of 4th Inf. Div., along with Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, uncased the “Ironhorse” Division’s colors, signifying the division assuming the mantle of responsibility as Multi-National Division-Baghdad. The division cased its colors before deploying from Fort Hood, Texas, during a ceremony Oct. 28.
Lt. Gen. John Vines, the commanding general of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, served as the reviewing officer for the ceremony. Also attending were several senior Army leaders from throughout the theater as well as Gen. Babader Zebari, the Chief of Staff of Iraqi Armed Forces; Lt. Gen. Abadi, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Staff; and Maj. Gen. Mobdir, commander of the 6th Iraqi Army Division.


Maj. Gen. William Webster Jr., commanding general, 3rd inf. Div. (left), and Command Sgt. Maj. William Grant
furl the division’s colors during the Transfer of Authority ceremony held at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Saturday.
The ceremony signifies mission completion as the division redeploys back to Fort Stewart, Ga.
(Army photo by Sgt. Ann Drier, 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment).

“This ceremony symbolizes the transfer of authority. There’s another symbolism of course – the Soldiers who serve under those colors are conducting operations throughout the Multi-National Division-Baghdad sector,” said Vines, commenting on the fact the 3rd and 4th Infantry Division Soldiers were continuing to conduct operations even as the ceremony progressed.
Baghdad is the most complex environment in the world, he continued, as it steadily moves toward democracy. The two divisions have served brilliantly in the Iraqi theater.

“The 3rd Infantry Division is the first U.S. division to serve two complete tours in Iraq, he said. “No unit in the United States Army has been busier, more deployed or has seen as much combat as the 3rd Infantry Division.

As they return home to their families and loved ones, he said, they go with the thanks of a grateful nation of Iraq, and the United States, and with the knowledge that they have done their duties brilliantly.
The ceremony signifies a day marked with both happiness and sadness, said Webster, after casing the Marne Division’s colors.
“We are happy to have shared in the successes of the Iraqi people this year and proud to have served the cause of freedom alongside so many brave Iraqi men and women,” he said.
Much has been accomplished between the coalition and Iraqi forces together, he added.
“We have worked together to fight within the rules of law to beat these terrorists and to put them in jail,” he said. “Together we will win this fight for democracy.
“We wish you well in the year ahead. Freedom, peace and prosperity will come with continued hard work and sacrifice. We are proud to have been a part of it. Thank you. Rock of the Marne!”
Thurman followed Webster at the podium and said it was an honor to be in the great country of Iraq and the historic city of Baghdad and an honor to assume command of the 30,000 Soldiers of Multi-National Division-Baghdad from his close friend, Maj. Gen. Webster.

“To Maj. Gen. Webster and the Marne Division Soldiers: We have watched your selfless service and professionalism from afar,” he said. “On behalf of the 4th Infantry Division, I want to thank you for the magnificent job you have done over the past 12 months. I also want to thank you for the seamless transition between our two divisions.
“We will never forget the sacrifices made by Marne Division Soldiers and the people of Iraq. We admire the courage of the Soldiers and police patrolling the streets and villages, and we admire the courage of the Iraqi citizens who bravely went to the polls to vote.”

Over the next year, he added, Task Force Ironhorse Soldiers will continue to build on the Marne Divisions successes and will continue to foster the partnership with its Iraqi brothers as it continues to move forward.
“This year will be the decisive period for the campaign in Iraq. I look forward to working with the newly elected government, the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police. Together, we will be successful.
“On October 28, 2005, we cased our division’s colors at Fort Hood, Texas, signifying the start of our deployment to Iraq. Today we uncase those colors and assume the responsibility for the Multinational Division – Baghdad Area of Operations. Ironhorse! Steadfast and Loyal!”

 

Band of Brothers Reunite in Iraq
By Spc. Karl Johnson
363 MPAD

Baghdad-January 12, 2006 “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers: For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother,” wrote William Shakespeare in Henry V.
Shakespeare described the lifelong bond formed between Soldiers who stand together in battle. He called that bond brotherhood. In Iraq today, brothers quite literally serve together. Often kept apart by their different missions, they find themselves separated by their in common profession – as Soldiers. The transfer of command from the 3rd Infantry Division to the 4th Infantry Division brought with it the happy reunion of some brothers. Three sets of brothers who got together again in Iraq are the Hurons, the Martells and the Pooles.
“My brother and I are so close that we can be apart for many years, and when we get back together, it is like we were never gone,” said Lt. Col. Mark A. Huron, 4th Inf. Div. inspector general. Growing up in close quarters, often times sharing the same space, brothers can develop bonds that neither years nor separation can break.
Those bonds are as unique and individual as that old, perfect-fitting baseball mitt you’ve had for years.
“We grew up in the same room,” he said. “We attended the same college and took the same classes.”
When Huron joined the Army over 20 years ago, that closeness was put the test. Following right behind him though was his younger brother, Lt. Col. Gilbert G. Huron, 3rd Inf. Div. comptroller.
“I’ve been in for 19 years, and he has been in for 20 and a half and unfortunately, this is the first time in 19 years that we’ve been stationed in the same place,” said Gilbert. “It’s been nice spending this time with him and getting the opportunity to talk about the good old days.”
For the Martell brothers, serving in the same place, even for a short while, has been a positive experience.
“The transition was a lot easier because he was here,” said 1st Sgt. Osvaldo Martell, 4th Inf. Div. Troops Company first sergeant.
His older brother, Master Sgt. Angel Martell, 4th Inf. Div. G-1 sergeant major, said the brothers often envisioned themselves as G.I. Joes when they were children.
“This Christmas and New Years was the one of the greatest we’ve had in years,” said Osvaldo Martell.
Not all brothers have been kept apart by their careers in the Army. Capt. Daniel Poole, S-4 for 8th Battalion, 10th Calvary Squadron, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and his older brother, Capt. John Poole, Commander, DTC, 4th Infantry Division, said they have been fortunate during their careers.
“Because of the Army, I’ve seen my brother more than if I had not been in,” said Daniel. “We really try to look out for each other.”
“We are really fortunate to be able to share our love of Soldiers, the Army and our Country”, said John. “It makes my commitment that much more special knowing my brother is doing the same thing I am.”
Regardless of how often these Soldier brothers have gotten to see each other, they all agree that is it hard for them to watch each other go. It’s with a heavy heart that these brothers say goodbye.
“In a lot of ways, he’s still just my little brother,” said Mark Huron. “When he leaves, I’ll be very disappointed.”

 

1/15 Inf Returns
From
Operation Iraqi Freedom
January 4th and 9th, 2006

January 9, 2006
Soldier meeting new member of family Daniel Scott family reunited
Soldiers chow down on goodies,
compliments of 15th Infantry Regiment Association		 Families and troops reunited
Troops marching in to ceremony area
Parents and son reunite  Troops turning in weapons
January 4th
Happy Couple SGM Yancey, Opns SGM, directing operation
Greeting at Lawson AAF

Unmarried soldiers receiving barracks assignments
One of tables w/ Assoc items
 

First Large Homecoming from Iraq
Planned for Fort Stewart Troops
by
RUSS BYNUM
Associated Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. Dec. 02, 2005- About 250 Fort Stewart soldiers were scheduled to return from Iraq late Friday in the Army post's first major homecoming since the 3rd Infantry Division deployed for its second tour almost a year ago. While Fort Stewart expects to welcome back a few hundred more troops before the holidays, most of the 3rd Infantry's 19,000 soldiers won't return until after New Year's Day. Most of the returning troops belong to the Division Support Brigade, which handles maintenance, transportation, medical and supply services for the division. They're coming early to help the Army post prepare for the crush of arrivals early next year.

News of the Friday flight created a buzz of excitement among spouses of the returning soldiers, said Ella Layer, wife of brigade commander Col. Brian Layer. "They're just beside themselves," Mrs. Layer said Friday afternoon. "They've got five or six outfits laid on the bed, not sure what they're going to wear. They've been cooking all day, getting all their spouses' favorite foods ready, getting their nails done, their hair done." Though her own husband won't be back until next year, Layer said she planned to gather with families of returning troops for their reunions at the Fort Stewart parade grounds well after dark. "There will be a lot of people out there who won't have spouses coming back, just because they're so excited it's the first group back," she said.

After helping lead the charge to Baghdad that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, the 3rd Infantry became the first Army division tapped to return for a second tour. Most of its soldiers deployed in January. The 3rd Infantry's commander, Maj. Gen. William G. Webster, said last month he expects the vast majority of his troops will be home by Feb. 1.

The division still has a major role to play in safeguarding Iraqi elections Dec. 15. It's also preparing the recently deployed 4th Infantry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, to take over its mission in Baghdad.
However, Webster said he planned to send home an advance party of several hundred division soldiers before the holidays.
"Assuming nothing significant changes on the ground (in Iraq), we anticipate seeing some more of them coming home prior to Christmas," said Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Fort Stewart spokesman. "The bulk of the division will stay in that window for a January redeployment."
Russ Bynum has covered the military based in Georgia since 2001.

 

Task Force Baghdad/3ID

 

Marne Soldiers Fulfill Dream of Citizenship
By Spc. Jennifer D. Atkinson
100th MPAD

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq –December 30, 2005- “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” With their right hands over their hearts, approximately 80 of America’s newest citizens completed the Pledge of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at the 3rd Infantry Division chapel Dec. 17.
For many of the Soldiers, who traveled to Camp Liberty from all over the 3rd Inf. Div. area of operations, the ceremony marked the realization of their long awaited dreams to become citizens of the country they already serve.
Today, naturalization is a lengthy undertaking, but originally it was a simple two-step process. An immigrant who wished to become a naturalized citizen had to swear that he had lived in the United States for a specified period of time and that he bore a “favorable disposition” toward the country.
On July 17, 1862, an exception to the two-step process was granted to veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Army during wartime. This “one paper” process was extended to veterans of the Navy and Marine Corps in 1894.
President Theodore Roosevelt once said “anyone who is good enough to shed their blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.”
Each of the Soldiers participating in the Dec. 17 naturalization ceremony earned that “square deal,” said Brig. Gen. Mark O’Neill, assistant division commander-support, 3rd Inf. Div.
Praising the Soldiers’ commitment to their new nation, O’Neill told the Soldiers they each brought a unique energy to America and that they had “already shouldered a heavy burden on behalf of your fellow Americans” by serving in the military.
O’Neill reminded the soon-to-be-citizens that “citizenship bears rights, but also responsibilities.” Although each Soldier is already part of history, and participating in American democracy by joining the military before becoming a citizen, O’Neill said the responsibility of citizenship would always be there.


Pfc. Habiba Chowdhurry recites the oath of citizenship at the Marne Division chapel here Dec. 17.

Spc. Sakpraneth Khim, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), said serving in the Army wasn’t shouldering a burden, but a way to “repay a debt of gratitude to a good country.”
Originally from Cambodia, Khim was a child when his family came to the United States as refugees 18 years ago. “I’ve always wanted to be a citizen,” said Khim, “but it’s a long process.” Soldiers who are deployed can take advantage of a “streamlined” process, said Khim, and that helps. After applicants make sure “all the Ts are crossed and all the Is are dotted,” it becomes a waiting game, said Khim. Originally, Khim’s interview was scheduled for May of next year, “but this is better,” he said.
Pfc. Habiba Chowdhurry, of Company A, 3rd Soldier Support Battalion, is the first in her family to become a U.S. citizen. In 1992 her parents brought their two children to the United States from Bangladesh for better education opportunities.“I wanted to become a citizen of the country I serve. I’m fighting for it and I took an oath,” Chowdhurry said. She, like Khim, was pursuing her citizenship back in the States, but was lucky enough to be interviewed in Iraq. Chowdhurry also had a pragmatic reason for wanting to be naturalized. “If anything happens here (in Iraq),” she said, “I want my mother to be able to say ‘My daughter was a United States citizen and she was serving her country.” Chowdhurry said her family is excited about her citizenship, and so is she. “I’m very proud that I’m not the only one who wanted this,” she said as she looked at fellow Soldiers waiting to take their oath. “I’m having a great day!”

 

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Deployment News and Stories on
Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 Older Stories from December 2004
Can be found on our OIF Archives Page

 

  Operation Iraqi Freedom-3  
Fallen Heroes

 

Rank

Name

Unit

Date

1

CPT

Lusk, Joe F. II

3-3 AVN

21-Jan-05

2

SGT

Torres, Daniel

B-2-7 IN

4-Feb-05

3

SSG

Bayow, Steven

B-2-7 IN

4-Feb-05

4

SGT*

Gooding, Dakota L.

C-5-7 CAV

13-Feb-05

5

SGT

Knox, Rene Jr.

C-5-7 CAV

13-Feb-05

6

SSG*

Lake, Chad W.

C-5-7 CAV

13-Feb-05

7

SPC*

Brangman, David J.

A-3-69 AR

13-Feb-05

8

SFC

Salie, David J.

B-2-69 AR

14-Feb-05

9

SPC

Carter, Justin B.

E-1-15 IN

16-Feb-05

10

CPL*

Palmatier, Jacob C.

HHC-1-30 IN

24-Feb-05

11

SPC

Deem, Michael S.

3rd SC Co

25-Feb-05

12

SPC

Farnan, Colby M.

B-4-1 FA

25-Feb-05

13

SPC

Moski, Jason L.

B-4-1 FA

25-Feb-05

14

PFC

Choi, Min S.

HHC-6-8 CAV

26-Feb-05

15

PFC*

Giles, Landon S.

HHC-6-8 CAV

26-Feb-05

16

PFC

Anderson, Danny L.

F-26 FSB

27-Feb-05

17

PFC

Ali, Azhar

HHC-1-69 IN

2-Mar-05

18

PV2

Lwin, Wai P.

HHC-1-69 IN

2-Mar-05

19

SPC

Salem, Adriana N.

3 FSB

4-Mar-05

20

SPC

Koch, Matthew A.

C-70 EN

9-Mar-05

21

SGT

Heltzel, Paul M.

B-2-156 IN

15-Mar-05

22

SSG

Kieffer, Ricky A

HHS-1-182 FA (MP)

15-Mar-05

23

PFC

Lewis, Lee A. Jr.

HHC-3-15 IN

18-Mar-05

24

CPL*

Bruce, Travis R.

170 MP Co

23-Mar-05

25

SGT*

Godbolt, Lee M.

A-1-156 AR

26-Mar-05

26

SGT*

Sinclair, Isiah J.

A-1-156 AR

26-Mar-05

27

SGT

Morris, Kelly. S

B-1-64 AR

30-Mar-05

28

CPL*

Richardson, William D.

A-1-41 IN

3-Apr-05

29

SPC

Watkins, Glenn J.

A-1-184 IN

5-Apr-05

30

SGT

Garcia, Javier J.

C-1-64 AR

5-Apr-05

31

CPL*

Lopez, Manuel III

D-3-7 IN

12-Apr-05

32

SPC

Ramirez Gonzalez, Aleina

HHC-1-3 BTB

15-Apr-05

33

PFC

Sirko, Steven F.

HHC-1-30 IN

17-Apr-05

34

PFC*

Knott, Joseph L.

RHHT-3ACR

17-Apr-05

35

PFC

Huff, Sam W.

170 MP Co

17-Apr-05

36

CPL*

Pfister, Jacob M.

A-3-7 IN

19-Apr-05

37

SPC*

Wessel, Kevin S. K.

A-3-7 IN

19-Apr-05

38

CPL*

Walters, Gary W. Jr.

A-1-9 FA

24-Apr-05

39

1SG

Millsap, Timmy J.

A-70 EN

25-Apr-05

40

SPC

Rice, David L.

HHB-1-5 FA

26-Apr-05

41

SPC

DeBlanc, Darren A

C-2-14 IN

29-Apr-05

42

PFC

Cooper, Charles S. Jr.

C-2-14 IN

29-Apr-05

43

SGT

Parker, Kenya A

HHC 3ID

30-Apr-05

44

SGT*

Saxton, Stephen P.

ADA-1-3 ACR

3-May-05

45

SSG

Brooks, William J.

HHC-1-64 AR

3-May-05

46

SPC

Givens, Steven R.

A 1-15 IN

8-May-05

47

PFC

Zeigler, Kenneth E. II

B-1-64 AR

12-May-05

48

SGT

Jodon, Andrew

E-3-69 AR

12-May-05

49

SPC*

Anderson, Travis

B-2-7 IN

13-May-05

50

SSG*

Gillican, Charles C. III

1-230th FA

14-May-05

51

PFC*

Riggs, Wesley R.

D-2-7 IN

17-May-05

52

PFC

Eisenhauer, Wyatt, D

HHC-2-70 AR

19-May-05

53

SGT*

Sembly, Bernard L.

A-2-156 IN

19-May-05

54

SGT*

Fell, Robin V.

A-2-156 IN

19-May-05

55

SGT*

Schamberg, Kurt D.

C-2-14 IN

20-May-05

56

SGT

Schall, Kenneth J.

A-2-70 AR

22-May-05

57

SGT*

Wilkerson, Charles T.

3-3 ACR

22-May-05

58

SGT

Morgain, Carl J.

A-1-112 IN

22-May-05

59

SFC*

Hahn, Peter J.

B-2-156 IN

24-May-05

60

SPC

Fisher, Dustin C.

B-1-76 FA

24-May-05

61

PFC

Wallace, Jeffrey R.

B-1-76 FA

24-May-05

62

SGT

Drier, Charles A.

B-1-76 FA

24-May-05

63

SSG*

Cortes, Victor M. III

E-703 FSB

29-May-05

64

SPC

Poelman, Eric J.

L-3-3 ACR

5-Jun-05

65

SPC*

Ulbrich, Brian S.

L-3-3 ACR

5-Jun-05

66

SSG

Vasquez, Justin L.

L-3-3 ACR

5-Jun-05

67

SGT*

Romines, Brian M.

A-2-123 FA

6-Jun-05

68

1LT

Fasnacht, Michael J

B-1-15 IN

8-Jun-05

69

SGT

Murrray, David J.

B-1088 EN

9-Jun-05

70

CPL*

Lapinski, Stanley J.

B-3-7 IN

11-Jun-05

71

SGT*

Jones, Anthony G.

104 TC

14-Jun-05

72

1LT*

Harris, Noah

B-2-69 AR

17-Jun-05

73

CPL

Long, William A.

B-2-69 AR

17-Jun-05

74

SGT*

Duplantier, Arnold II

C-1-184 IN

22-Jun-05

75

SFC

Phelps, Christopher W

I-3-3 ACR

23-Jun-05

76

SGT*

Tackett, Joseph

1-76 FA

23-Jun-05

77

SPC

Kaufman, Charles A.

C-1-128 IN

26-Jun-05

78

2LT

Coutu, Matthew S.

64 MP

27-Jun-05

79

CW2

Shephard, Steven E.

3-3 AVN

27-Jun-05

80

CW4

Mariotti, Keith R

3-3 AVN

27-Jun-05

81

SPC

Carrillo, Rafael A Jr.

HHC-1-64 AR

28-Jun-05

82

SSG*

Mercer, Chad M.

B-2-121 IN

30-Jun-05

83

SSG

Bright, Scottie L.

HOW-3-3 ACR

5-Jul-05

84

CPL

Cambridge, Lyle J

HOW-3-3 ACR

5-Jul-05

85

PFC*

Mazzarella, Anthony

B-1-13 AR

5-Jul-05

86

SGT

Sutton, Timothy J.

TANK-3-3 ACR

11-Jul-05

87

SPC

Yahudah, Benyahmin B.

HHC-1-64 AR

13-Jul-05

88

SPC

Hines, Timothy J. Jr.

64 MP

14-Jul-05

89

SPC

Hartley, Jared D.

HHD-125 FSB

15-Jul-05

90

SSG

Pena-Romero, Jorge L.

B-1-11 ACR

16-Jul-05

91

SPC

Williams, Ronnie D

K-3-3 ACR

17-Jul-05

92

SGT

McGill, Arthur R.

B-1-9 FA

19-Jul-05

93

SGT

Taylor, Christopher J.

B-1-41 FA

24-Jul-05

94

SGT

Monzon, Milton M. Jr.

K-3-3 ACR

24-Jul-05

95

PFC

Villatoro, Ramon A

K-3-3 ACR

24-Jul-05

96

SSG

Montefering, Jason W.

K-3-3 ACR

24-Jul-05

97

SPC*

Dallas, Ernest W. Jr.

K-3-3 ACR

24-Jul-05

98

SGT*

Kinlow, James O.

A-2-121 IN

24-Jul-05

99

SSG*

Fuller, Carl R.

A-2-121 IN

24-Jul-05

100

SPC*

Brunson, Jacques E.

A-2-121 IN

24-Jul-05

101

SGT*

Thomas, John F.

A-2-121 IN

24-Jul-05

102

SPC

Harting, Adam J.

A-3-69 AR

25-Jul-05

103

SPC

Myers, Edward L.

B-3-69 AR

27-Jul-05

104

SPC

Tollefson, John O.

411 MP

27-Jul-05

105

SPC

Butler, Adrian J.

411 MP

27-Jul-05

106

PV2

Guerra, Ernesto R.

HHC-4-3 BTB

28-Jul-05

107

SPC*

Swaney, Robert A.

HOW-3-3 ACR

30-Jul-05

108

PFC

Scheuerman, Jason D.

HHC-1-30 IN

30-Jul-05

109

SGT*

Shelly, Ronnie L.

A-2-121 IN

30-Jul-05

110

SGT*

Haggin, Jonathan C.

A-2-121 IN

30-Jul-05

111

SFC

Anderson, Victor A.

A-2-121 IN

30-Jul-05

112

SSG*

Jones, David R. Sr.

A-2-121 IN

30-Jul-05

113

SPC

Ganey, Jerry L.

HHC-648 EN

3-Aug-05

114

SPC*

Gibbs, Mathew V.

HHC-648 EN

3-Aug-05

115

SFC*

Warren, Charles H.

HHC-648 EN

3-Aug-05

116

SGT*

Jeffcoat, Brahim J.

A-1-111 IN

6-Aug-05

117

SPC

Krout, Kurt E.

A-1-111 IN

6-Aug-05

118

SPC*

Reyna, Seferino J.

A-70 EN

7-Aug-05

119

PFC

Rios, Hernando

B-1-69 AR

7-Aug-05

120

SGT*

Kalladeen, Anthony N.

B-1-69 AR

7-Aug-05

121

SPC

Carrasquillo, Miguel

HOW-1-76 FA

9-Aug-05

122

SPC

Straub, Francis J.

A-1-111 IN

9-Aug-05

123

SPC

Pellegrini, Gennaro Jr.

A-1-111 IN

9-Aug-05

124

PFC

Kulick, John

A-1-111 IN

9-Aug-05
125 PFC Detample, Nathaniel E. A-1-111 IN 9-Aug-05
126 1LT Giamo, David L D-2-7 IN 12-Aug-05
127 SPC Bell, Rusty W. A-603 AV 12-Aug-05
128 SPC Derks, Brian K. F-1-11 ACR 13-Aug-05
129 SGT* Strickland,Thomas J. HHC-1-108 AR 15-Aug-05
130 SGT* Saylor, Paul A HHC-1-108 AR 15-Aug-05
131 SPC* Dingler, Joseph P HHC-1-108 AR 15-Aug-05

132

SGT*

Stokely, Michael J..

E-348 AR (TF 108)

16-Aug-05


Fallen Warriors: Listed Alphabetically

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

August 22, 2005
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on August 18, 2005, in Samarra, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV following a mine assessing mission. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Killed were:
Sgt. Nathan K. Bouchard, 24, of Wildomar, Calif.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy W. Doyle,   24, of Chesterton, Md.
Spc. Ray M. Fuhrmann, II,   28, of Novato, Calif.
Pfc. Timothy J. Seamans,   20, of Jacksonville, Fla.
 

August 24, 2005

1st Lt. Carlos J. Diaz, 27, of Juana Diaz, P.R., died on Aug. 23, 2005, in Baqubah, Iraq, when enemy forces detonated an explosion near his position. Diaz was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

September 2, 2005

Sgt. Monta S. Ruth,   26, of Winston-Salem, N.C., died on Aug. 31, 2005, in Samarra, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle during security patrol operations. Ruth was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

September 5, 2005
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on Sept. 1, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 108th Cavalry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Griffin, Ga.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. George R. Draughn Jr., 29, of Decatur, Ga.
Sgt. 1st Class Robert L. Hollar Jr., 35, of Griffin, Ga.

Sgt. 1st Class Lonnie J. Parson, 39, of Norcross, Ga., died on Sept. 2, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his M3A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was struck by an enemy explosive device. Parson was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

September 6, 2005

Spc. Luke C. Williams, 35, of Knoxville, Tenn., died on Sept. 5, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq, when the HMMWV he was riding in accidentally rolled over into a ditch. Williams was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

September 7, 2005

Sgt. Matthew C. Bohling,   22, of Eagle River, Alaska, died on Sept. 5, 2005, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Bohling was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

September 8, 2005
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on Sept. 6, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV causing it to rollover. Both soldiers were assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Jude R. Jonaus, 27, of Miami, Fla.
Sgt. Franklin R. Vilorio, 26, of Miami, Fla.
 

September 14, 2005

Sgt. Kurtis D. K. Arcala, 22, of Palmer, Alaska, died on Sept. 11, 2005, in Tikrit, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his position during convoy escort operations. Arcala was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

September 20, 2005

Sgt. Deckard dies in action

FORT STEWART, Ga.-- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a 3rd Infantry Division Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt Matthew Lynn Deckard, 29, of Elizabethtown, KY, died Sept. 16, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq where an improvised explosive device detonated near his position while he was on patrol operations. Deckard was assigned to Company C, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment; 4th Brigade, 3rd Inf. Div., as an M1 armor crewman.

Sgt Deckard entered the Army Jan. 20, 1995. He arrived at Fort Stewart, “Home of the 3rd Inf. Div.,” Feb. 24, 2001.

September 21, 2005

Two Marne Soldiers die in action supporting OIF

FORT STEWART, Ga.-- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 16, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M1A1 Abrams tank during patrol operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

1st Sgt. Alan N. Gifford, 39, of Tallahassee, Fla., entered the Army Feb. 4, 1986. He arrived Sept. 10, 2003 at Fort Stewart, Home of the 3rd Infantry Division. 1st Sgt. Gifford was a Senior Armored Cavalry Sergeant assigned to Co. C, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

Spc. David H. Ford IV, 20, of Ironton, Ohio, entered the Army July 1, 2003. He arrived Nov. 18, 2003 at Fort Stewart, Home of the 3rd Infantry Division. Spc. Ford was an M1A1 Armor Crewman assigned to Co. C, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.


September 26, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 23, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M113 armored personnel carrier. They also were attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Oakdale, Calif.
Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Daniel R. Scheile, 37, of Antioch, Calif., who died on Sept. 24.

Sgt. Paul C. Neubauer, 40, of Oceanside, Calif., who died on Sept. 23.

September 29, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Jason A. Benford, 30, of Toledo, Ohio, died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 27, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Benford was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

October 5, 2005

Staff Sgt. Jens E. Schelbert, 31, of New Orleans, La., died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Oct. 1, when his forward operating base was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire. Schelbert was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

October 12, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Oct. 10, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class Brandon K. Sneed, 33, of Norman, Okla. 
Sgt. Leon M. Johnson, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla.

October 21, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Balad, Iraq, on Oct. 19, when their HMMWV was struck by enemy indirect fire during patrol operations. The Soldiers were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Arthur A. Mora Jr., 23, of Pico Rivera, Calif.
Spc. Russell H. Nahvi, 24, of Arlington, Texas.
Spc. Jose E. Rosario, 20, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

October 25, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. George T. Alexander, Jr., 34, of Clanton, Ala., died at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, on Oct. 22, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on Oct. 17, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Alexander was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

October 25, 2005
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Oct. 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Vincent E. Summers, 38, of South Haven, Mich.
Spc. Thomas H. Byrd, 21, of Cochise, Ariz.
Spc. Jeffrey W. Corban, 30, of Elkhart, Ind.
Spc. Richard A. Hardy, 24, of Newcomerstown, Ohio.
Spc. Timothy D. Watkins, 24, of San Bernardino, Calif.

October 28, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Capt. Michael J. Mackinnon, 30, of Helena, Mont., died on Oct. 27, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations. Mackinnon was assigned to the Army's 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Rustamiyah, Iraq, on Oct. 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 3rd Forward Support Battalion, Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Master Sgt. Thomas A. Wallsmith, 38, of Carthage, Mo.
Sgt. 1st Class Ramon A. Acevedoaponte, 51, of Watertown, N.Y.

Sgt. Michael T. Robertson, 28, of Houston, Texas, died at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, on Oct. 25, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on Oct. 17, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The incident fatally injured another soldier and was reported on Oct. 25. Robertson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

October 31, 2005

Pfc. Dillon M. Jutras, 20, of Fairfax Station, Va., died in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on Oct. 28, from injuries sustained while conducting combat operations. Jutras was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

November 2, 2005

Pfc Rojas dies in action
FORT STEWART, Ga. -- The Department of Defense announced yesterday the death of a 3rd Infantry Division soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Private First Class Kenny D. Rojas, 21, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., died near Bayji, Iraq on Oct. 29 when his unit was conducting a combat patrol and a landmine exploded near his HMMWV.
Rojas entered the military January 28, 2004 and arrived at Fort Stewart, Home of the 3rd Infantry Division on July 29, 2004.
Private First Class Rojas was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., as an Infantryman.

November 2, 2005

Col. Wood dies in action
FORT STEWART, Ga.-- The Department of Defense announced Oct. 31 the death of a 3rd Infantry Division Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colonel William W. Wood, 44, of Panama City, Fla., died Oct. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq when he was directing security operations in response to the detonation of an improvised explosive device. During this response, a second improvised explosive device detonated near his position.
Col. Wood entered the Army May 20, 1984 and arrived June 16, 2004 to Fort Stewart, Home of the 3rd Infantry Division as an Infantry Officer. While here he served as the deputy chief of staff and deputy commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom 3, Col. Wood was assigned to and thereby assumed command in July 2005 of the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment (Air Assault) of Modesto, Calif.

November 3, 2005

Spc. Dennis J. Ferderer Jr., 20, of New Salem, N.D., died in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, on Nov. 2, when enemy forces threw a hand grenade at his HMMWV during convoy operations. Ferderer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

November 7, 2005

Spc. Darren D. Howe, 21, of Beatrice, Neb., died at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 3, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on Oct. 17, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Howe was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.


The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Nov. 4, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during convoy operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 26th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Capt. James M. Gurbisz, 25, of Eatontown, N.J.
Pfc. Dustin A. Yancey, 22, of Goose Creek, S.C.

November 8, 2005

Capt. Joel E. Cahill, 34, of Norwood, Mass., died in Ad Dawr, Iraq, on Nov. 6, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Cahill was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

November 17, 2005

Pvt. Dylan R. Paytas, 20, of Freedom, Pa., died in Baqubah, Iraq, on Nov. 16, from injuries sustained from multiple gunshot wounds. Paytas was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

November 21, 2005

Staff Sgt. Ivan V. Alarcon, 23, of Jerome, Idaho, died in Tal Afar, Iraq, on Nov. 17, when his HMMWV accidentally rolled over during combat operations. Alarcon was assigned to the Army's 473rd Quartermaster Company, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

November 28, 2005

Pfc. Ryan D. Christensen, 22, of Spring Lake Heights, N.J., died at the Medical University of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 24, of a non-combat related illness identified in Balad, Iraq, on Nov. 10. Christensen was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

December 5, 2005

Sgt. Grzegorz Jakoniuk, 25, of Schiller Park, Ill., died in Taji, Iraq, on Nov. 30, from non-combat related injuries. Jakoniuk was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. The incident is under investigation.

December 9, 2005

1st Lt. Kevin J. Smith, 28, of Brandon, Fla., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 8, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Smith was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

December 13, 2005

Spc. Lex S. Nelson, 21, of Salt Lake City, Utah, died in Tikrit, Iraq on Dec. 12, when he fell from a guard tower. Nelson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. The incident is under investigation.

December 14, 2005

Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Mitchell, 28, of Malta, Ohio, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 12, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A1 Abrams tank during combat operations. Mitchell was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

December 17, 2005

Spc. Joseph A. Lucas, 23, of Augusta, Ga., died in Balad, Iraq on Dec. 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Lucas was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

December 22, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Taji, Iraq on Dec. 20, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary, 24, of Dallas, Pa.
Spc. Richard Junior D. Naputi, 24, of Talofofo, Guam.

December 27, 2005

Spc. Anthony O. Cardinal, 20, of Muskegon, Mich., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 25, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Cardinal was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

December 27, 2005

Spc. Sergio Gudino, 22, of Pomona, Calif., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 25, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A1 tank during combat operations. Gudino was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

January 6, 2006

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 5, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during convoy operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Jason Lopezreyes, 29, of Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
Spc. Ryan D. Walker, 25, of Stayton, Ore.

 

 

 

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