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Active Division
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84th Annual
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85th Annual
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Regt.Dinners
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Ft.Stewart Tour

86th Annual
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87th Annual
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88th Annual 2007
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88th Annual 2007
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88th Annual 2007
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WWII Memoirs-
3rd Infantry
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d o g f a c e
s o l d i e r s
A photographic
journey of the
Third Signal Co. of
the 15th Regiment
of the U.S. Third
Infantry Division-
WWII
by Denis Toomey

7th Inf. Regt.
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All Rights Reserved
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8

Calendar for 2008

January 26, 2008
Outpost 22 Meeting
Home of Jack and
Anita Sneddon

February 24, 2008
Outpost 15 Meeting

Brothers Cafe-11:00am
Peoria, Arizona

April 3rd - 6th, 2008
Outpost 2 Reunion &
Meeting
Quality Inn
Heritage Park,
Kissimmee, FL

April 13, 2008
Outpost 18 Spring
Meeting
Holiday Inn Select-
11:00AM
Hook & Ladder Room
Appleton, WI

April 26, 2008
Outpost 22 Dinner
Meeting
Home of Jack and Anita Sneddon

May 1-4, 2008
Anzio Beachhead
Veterans of WWII
St. Louis, MO
Contact: John Boller
631-691-5002
1 Harbor North,
Amityville, NY
11701-3810

May 3, 2008
3ID Gate Rededication
Ceremony
Camp Pike , AR
POC - David Madison
1-501-771-8722

May 3-4, 2008
Outpost 12 Spring
Meeting
Country Inn & Suites
Albert Lea, MN

May 4, 2008 (Tentative)
Plaque Dedication
Ceremony

Berchtesgaden, DE
POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218

May 4, 2008
Outpost 5  Spring
Meeting-11:30 AM
Bath American Legion
Post
278 Race Street,
Bath, Pennsylvania

May 17, 2008
Outpost 13 -
Spring meeting

 at 12:00 noon at
Bakers of Milford,
Milford, MI

May 2008
Anzio Beachhead

Veterans of 1944 WWII
Washington, D.C. area 
Contact Clyde E. Easter
276-728-7293
299 Panorama Drive,
Fancy Gap, VA
24328-2751

May 25, 2008
WW1 Marne
Campaign Ceremony
Chateau-Thierry
POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218

May 26-June 5th, 2008
64th Anniversary
Battlefield Tour
of Italy

Clyde E. Easter at
276-728-7293
299 Panorama Drive,
Fancy Gap, VA
24328-2751

May 30, 2008
Outpost 7 Meeting-
3:15 PM, Friday
Arlington Natl.
Cemetery
Washington, DC

June 12-15, 2008
OP Harry Survivors
Association Reunion
Renton, WA
POC Jerry Cunningham
1-803-783-4491

June 27-28, 2008
Audie Murphy Days
Greenville,TX
www.cottonmuseum.com
1-903-450-1990

July 12, 2008
Outpost 22 Annual
Picnic
Yorba Reg. Park, CA

July 27, 2008
Korean War
Anniversary
Ceremonies
KW Monument-
9:00 am
Arlington Cemetery -
 2:00PM
POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218

August 15-17, 2008
Operation Dragoon
60th Anniversary
Provence, France
POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218

September 18-21, 2008
89th Annual Reunion
Society of the 3ID
Columbus Airport
Hotel
Columbus, GA

October 26, 2008
Outpost 18
Fall Meeting

October 2008
Cubs Win World Series
100 Year Drought Ends
Chicago, IL

Nov. 11, 2008
Veterans Day and
WWI
90th Anniversary
Chateau-Thierry,
France

POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218

Nov. 11, 2008
Veterans Day
OP 7 Ceremonies
Arlington Cemetery
POC John Insani
1-703-370-4586

August 10-23, 2009
65th Anniversary
Battlefield Tour
For the Society of the
3rd Infantry Division
Italy, France

 

 

Operation Iraqi Freedom
 Archived Stories of the 3rd Division in Iraq

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Iraqi Citizen Helps Coalition Forces
Maj. Russ Goemaere, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDADDec. 22, 2005- A local national identified a home in east Baghdad that was being used as a factory to make improvised rocket-launchers. At about 6:30 p.m. elements of 3rd squadron, 7th Cavalry, raided the home and discovered 15 rocket-launchers were in the process of being built and one 57 millimeter rocket was competed and ready to be fired. No one was present in the home at the time of the raid.
           “It is encouraging that the Iraqi citizens are continuing to choose the side of the new government over the terrorists. The Iraqi citizens know that providing information against the terrorists to Coalition or Iraqi Security Forces will help to improve the security situation in their neighborhoods,” said Col. Joseph DiSalvo, commander of Coalition Forces in east Baghdad. All equipment in the home was seized and will be used as evidence against the homeowners when they are caught. Iraqi Security Forces are continuing the search.

3 Terrorists Caught Emplacing Bomb
Maj. Russ Goemaere, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDADDec. 22, 2005- Three terrorists were captured as they were caught emplacing a hoax roadside bomb in east Baghdad Dec. 21.At about 6 p.m. a patrol from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry observed a civilian vehicle dropping cement blocks in the median of a major thoroughfare. The patrol intercepted the suspicious vehicle and detained three suspected terrorists.
           Additional elements of 3-7 CAV secured the site surrounding the suspicious items and an explosive ordnance disposal team investigated the objects and found them to be hoax roadside bombs.
           “These suspected terrorists were not placing cement blocks in the road for any other reason then to terrorize and intimidate the population. They are currently being detained at a military detention facility,” said Maj. Paul Reese, operations officer for 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.
            “Anyone found guilty of emplacing a hoax roadside bomb is a terrorist – make no mistake about it; the good people of Iraq are disgusted by these types of games.”
            Hoax roadside bombs are commonly used by terrorists to check how Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces will react. Roadside bombs are a deadly threat, anyone found planting roadside bombs, either real or hoax, will be treated as a terrorist.

 

East Baghdad Neighborhoods Turn Out to Vote
2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO, Dec. 15, 2005
Sgt. Andrew Miller,Task Force Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD — Elizabeth Vargas of ABC News interviews Maj. Gen. William Webster, Task Force Baghdad commander,
as they visit polling sites in east Baghdad Dec. 15. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade)


BAGHDAD — Maj. Gen. William Webster, Task Force Baghdad commander, discusses polling site security with an
Iraqi Police officer in east Baghdad Dec. 15. Iraqi Security Forces were responsible for safeguarding polling sites
while U.S. Soldiers kept outer perimeters secure. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade)


BAGHDAD — Col. Joseph DiSalvo, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division,
gives a soul handshake to a young Iraqi boy as he tours voting sites in east Baghdad Dec. 15.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade)

 

National Elections Set Milestone for
Iraqi Security Forces

Spc. Dan Balda
4th Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDAD -Dec. 15, 2005- The day seemed downright festive: children marched in impromptu parades, men wore suits (on their day off no less), entire families took long walks from their homes to polling sites. The Iraqi parliamentary elections Dec. 15 gave Iraqis a chance to showcase the pride they have in their country and the hope they have for the future.

“Nationalism is defined by the actions of the people,” said Maj. Ross Coffman, 4th Brigade Combat Team executive officer. “It only takes a moment to see their faces as they vote, to see their pride, not only because they are voting but because they are part of something bigger. That is promising. Not only for the efforts we’ve made, but also for the future of the country.”

The future seems to be the center of Coffman’s focus and for good reason. “Today, they chose their leaders for the next four years,” Coffman said. “If someone chooses to vote as many did, they chose to vote because they believe in the future of their country. It’s another step for democracy for this country, but it also shows that Iraqis believe in their future.”

  
BAGHDAD -- (L) Iraqis wait in line for their chance to vote in the historic Dec. 15 national elections.
(R) An Iraqi woman holds an Iraqi flag after voting during the historic Dec. 15 national elections.
(U.S. Army photos by Spc. Timothy Story)

Hundreds of thousands of Baghdad residents were able to vote mainly because of the security at polling stations provided by Iraqi Security Forces. Coffman said the violence stayed at or below normal levels. There were a few terrorist attacks with improvised explosive devices and isolated indirect fire incidents, but otherwise election day was very safe, he said. This can be directly attributed to the ISF, who took the lead on all matters electoral.

“The ISF took the front, just as they have for the last two elections,” Coffman said. “Basically this was run by Iraqis, the polls and the security, and the Americans were there in case something happened and they needed our assistance. Today was another milestone in the ISF’s capabilities. They were able to secure numerous sites across the country and prevent Anti-Iraqi Forces from influencing those sites.”

Staff Sgt. James Bryant, a team leader with B Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment was especially heartened by the performance of the ISF. He has been part of a military transition team training ISF members since August. He ran into a number of his former trainees during a foot patrol through Karradah during the election. “It’s great seeing these men out here because they are like my own Soldiers,” he said. “When you train up the new guys in your unit, and you see them excel, it’s a good feeling to see them out there and see that they are using all the skills they’ve learned and (are) doing their job. It’s going to make a big difference for this country’s future.”

Coffman was heartened by the actions of the troops on this monumental occasion. "The job the Iraqis and our forces have done is nothing short of amazing,” he said. “The Military Transition Teams and Special Police Training Teams that have stood beside the Iraqi forces during training and mission execution over the last year will carry Iraqi security in the future for the next five to 10 years. It’s an honor being part of America’s team here in Iraq, standing side by side with Iraq’s team making sure that this is a safe place for the Iraqi people.”

 
Iraqi Army Soldiers Exercise Right to Vote
Sgt. Matthew Wester, 3/1 AD PAO


TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers hold up political posters as they chant and sing
after they participated in early voting Dec. 12. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Bromley, 3/1 AD PAO)               

TAJI, Iraq – An Iraqi Army Soldier flashes his ink-stained finger as proof that he voted.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Bromley, 3/1 AD PAO)

TAJI, Iraq –Dec. 13, 2005- Iraqi Army Soldiers northwest of Baghdad voted three days before the country's national elections, freeing them for duty on Dec. 15.
Soldiers had been working to make polling sites throughout the area secure prior to election day. On Dec. 12, thousands went to the polls themselves and voted at a site in Assariya village, near Camp Taji north of Baghdad.
"I am very glad. This is good for all Iraqis, not just for us, " said Pvt. Zaheer, an infantryman with 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division.
This is the third time in a year Iraqis have participated in democratic elections, after the success of the interim government elections in January and the Constitutional Referendum in October.
The Iraqi Soldiers formed long columns and marched to the polls. Other IA Soldiers guarded the Assariya site.
"The Iraqi Security Forces vote early so they can do their job on election day, which is primarily to provide security for the citizens of Iraq, so that they have an opportunity to vote in a safe environment," said Capt. Richard Hicks, a team leader for A Company, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion. His team works with the citizens of the area to improve infrastructure and quality of life.
"The Iraqi Security Forces are the lead element in providing this security. They are the ones people see at the polling sites," Hicks said. "It's a further demonstration of their ability to take the lead as they will guide their country following the election."
The Soldiers took charge of security during the recent referendum vote and were successful at curbing attacks and ensuring citizens made it to the polls safely.
After voting, some troops danced and sang patriotic songs. One Soldier led his comrades in a chant extolling the virtues of their favorite candidates.
"It really means a lot to see how much enthusiasm they have, " Hicks said. "It's just a very warming experience to share that with them here and see democracy in action."
"I hope for democracy and security for this country," Zaheer said as he headed to the polls to cast his vote.

Iraqi Security Forces,
U.S. Soldiers pursue terrorists
Maj. Russ Goemaere, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDAD –Dec. 12, 2005- Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers continued to aggressively pursue terrorists in east Baghdad Dec. 12.
In the early-morning hours, elements of 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry launched a raid to capture three suspected terrorists. The three suspects were subsequently detained and will be processed into the Iraqi judicial system.
Later that morning, elements of the 3rd Public Order Brigade in Salman Pak reported discovering a roadside bomb. Acting on information from a local citizen, the POB identified the potentially deadly device before it could be detonated. The bomb, hidden in the carcass of a dog, contained an unknown amount of explosives.
An Iraqi Police explosive ordnance disposal team used a controlled detonation to destroy the device.
Around midday, Iraqi Army Soldiers responded to the report of a car bomb. A suicide car bomber missed his target, an Iraqi Police patrol, and wounded five Iraqi civilians. The Iraqi Police and Iraqi Soldiers quickly secured the site and evacuated the wounded civilians to a local hospital.

U.S., Iraqi Forces Keep
Baghdad Streets Safe for Election
4th Brigade Combat Team PAO
 

BAGHDAD –Dec. 11, 2005- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces detained 13 suspected terrorists and located a weapons cache during pre-election operations in the capitol city Dec. 9-10. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment captured three suspected terrorists during a cordon-and-search operation Dec. 9. During two different operations Dec. 10, 3rd Bn., 7th Inf. Soldiers detained six additional suspects and seized a weapons cache which included six AK-47 assault rifles, 13 AK-47 magazines, one bag of money and a hand grenade. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment also conducted an assault operation which led to the capture of three suspects in the Dora neighborhood Dec. 9. 

            In other operations, Iraqi forces assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Public Order Brigade detained one suspected terrorist in eastern Rasheed Dec. 9.

Iraqi forces, U.S. Army
Keep Pressure on Terrorists
Master Sgt. David Abrams,Task Force Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD —Dec. 7, 2005- Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers continued to scour the streets of Baghdad during operations Dec. 3-7, hunting down terrorists, disabling roadside bombs and seizing stockpiles of weapons.
Some of the success of these operations can be attributed to tips received from concerned citizens who approached Iraqi and U.S. forces with information about the whereabouts of terrorists and weapons caches.
While Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment were on patrol in south Baghdad Dec. 3, they were approached by two Iraqi citizens who said they knew where suspected terrorists were located. When the U.S. Soldiers went to the residence in question, they found six individuals—two of whom were known for terrorist activity. All six suspects were detained for further questioning.
Another patrol operating in west Baghdad Dec. 3 was stopped by an Iraqi woman who told the Soldiers about an improvised explosive device which had been planted in the area. The woman pinpointed the location of the IED on a map for the Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment. When the patrol went to the location, the Soldiers found a 155-millimeter round with a radio device attached to it. An explosive ordnance disposal team was summoned to the site and the IED was rendered safe.
Soldiers from 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment observed an individual emplacing an IED in the Abu Ghraib district Dec. 6. Task Force Baghdad ground and air assets eventually cornered the individual, along with an accomplice, and detained the pair. Those suspects then positively identified another terrorist known for emplacing IEDs. All three suspects were detained for further questioning.
On Dec. 4, Soldiers from 1st Bn., 184th Inf. Reg. detained two suspects in the vicinity of a meat packing plant in southeast Baghdad after they were found with 20 bags of aluminum sulfate and weapons, including five AK-47 assault rifles, six SKS machine guns and an RPK rifle.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment on patrol in an area southwest of Baghdad reported taking small-arms and rocket-propelled-grenade fire Dec. 3. A patrol from the Iraqi Army swept through the vicinity and detained three individuals suspected of firing on the American Soldiers. There were no U.S. casualties or damage to equipment in the incident.
Task Force Baghdad Soldiers in west Baghdad reported receiving indirect fire Dec. 6. There were no casualties or damage as a result of the rocket attack. Aviation assets quickly pinpointed the origin of the fire and found three mortar tubes which were then destroyed.
Meanwhile, other Task Force Baghdad aviation in the area spotted a suspicious vehicle and individuals unloading items and taking them into a nearby house. A ground forces unit later went to the house and detained three terrorists suspected of firing the mortars. The U.S. Soldiers also seized a small cache of a 60-millimeter round, a 130-millimeter round, a 120-millimeter round, a 60-millimeter mortar system and 10 projectiles.

Citizens Help U.S. Forces
Take Terrorists Off Streets
4th Brigade Combat Team PAO
 

BAGHDAD –Dec. 6, 2005- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers captured four terror suspects and discovered a large weapons cache during a series of operations in the Al Rashid district Dec. 4. U.S. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment conducted a raid in western Rashid based on information provided by local Iraqis. The raid resulted in the capture of two individuals. 

In another mission, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search in eastern Rashid, resulting in the capture of two individuals and a sizable weapons cache. The weapons cache consisted of five AK-47 assault rifles, seven AK-47 magazines, six SKS automatic weapons, one Russian machine gun and 20 100-pound bags of aluminum sulfate. 

Iraqi, U.S. Forces Launch Raid Against Terrorist Ring
Maj. Russ Goemaere, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO
 

BAGHDAD -Dec. 5, 2005- Iraqi and Coalition Forces in east Baghdad remained vigilant in the face of numerous acts of terror in east Baghdad Dec. 4. Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces launched a raid to capture suspected members of a known terrorist ring.  Within two hours, six suspects were arrested and are currently being processed into the Iraqi justice system.

“We are continuing an aggressive campaign to capture the terrorists in our zone. The Iraqi Security Forces are doing most of the work and we stand ready to support them when ever necessary,” said Col. Joseph DiSalvo, commander of Coalition Forces in east Baghdad.


BAGHDAD – Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi Police secure the site of a bomb attack Dec. 4 in the Rusafa area of east Baghdad. Six Iraqi civilians were wounded in the attack which was directed against civilians at a marketplace.
(U.S. Army photo)

Around 7 a.m., a patrol from 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry discovered an improvised explosive device. The roadside bomb, a surface laid anti-tank mine, was destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.  There were no casualties or damage to equipment. About a half hour later, an Iraqi Army patrol responded to the explosion of a roadside bomb which targeted an Iraqi Police patrol. No injuries or damage were reported. 


BAGHDAD – Iraqi Police gather information at the site of a bomb attack Dec. 4 in the Rusafa area of east Baghdad.
(U.S. Army photo)

Elsewhere, a U.S. Army Military Police patrol was attacked with a roadside bomb around 9 a.m.  The bomb detonated between two vehicles, resulting in no casualties or damage to equipment. A half hour later, an American tank on patrol was attacked with a roadside bomb. The bomb missed the tank and no casualties or damage to equipment were reported.

Meanwhile, in the Rusafa area, the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police responded to the site of a roadside bomb attack that was directed against civilians at a marketplace.  Six Iraqi civilians were wounded in the attack and were evacuated by Iraqi Security Forces and emergency services to local hospitals for treatment. “The terrorists continue their campaign of indiscriminate violence against the population, the Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces, because they are intimidated with Iraq’s progress towards freedom and democracy,” DiSalvo said. 

    Citizen’s Tip Yields Weapons Cache,
Two Terror Suspects
4th Brigade Combat Team PAO
 

BAGHDAD –Dec. 4, 2005- A tip from a local citizen resulted in the capture of two terror suspects and the discovery of a large weapons cache in western Rashid Dec. 3. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment received information about terrorists storing weapons in a salt factory. Upon further investigation, Soldiers found the following items: 23 60-millimeter mortar rounds, 20 82-millimeter mortar rounds, two 120-millimeter artillery rounds, 40 fuses, two rocket-propelled grenades, one grenade and 200 rounds of small-arms ammunition. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called in and destroyed the cache in a series of controlled detonations.

24 Terror Suspects Taken Off the Streets of Baghdad
Maj. Alayne Conway, 4th Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDAD –Dec. 4, 2005- Launching operations based on tips from Iraqi citizens and intelligence developed over time, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers captured 24 terror suspects in the Al Rasheed district during a 12-hour period Dec. 3-4. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment conducted three cordon and searches and captured a total of nine individuals.  A Company, 1st Bn., 184th Inf. detained six individuals in eastern Rasheed Dec. 3 around 11:35 p.m.  One of the detainees was a known member of an Al-Qaeda bomb-making cell and another individual is suspected of running safe houses used to smuggle terrorists into Baghdad.

            Three hours later, another element from 1/184 detained a targeted individual in Abu Dischir and another two at daybreak in Dora. A tipster alerted Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment on the trail of terror suspects operating in western Rasheed. They conducted a hasty cordon and search and captured two individuals before midnight on Dec. 3. At about 2:30 a.m., 3/7 Inf. Soldiers conducted another cordon and search in Jihad and captured three individuals. The battalion also detained another individual in Jihad the night before.

 “The operation last night was a huge victory for the locals in Jihad,” said 1st Lt. Reeon Brown, a platoon leader from A Co., 3/7 Inf. who led one of last night’s operations.   “This man has spent months killing innocent Iraqis and Iraqi Security Forces.  Now he is off the street thanks to the bravery of one local man.  I want to thank him and let the Iraqi people know that they are the most powerful weapons in the fight against terrorists.” 

Farther south in the rural areas of Baghdad, Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment was also rounding up terror suspects. A unit conducting a cordon and search at 1 a.m. on Dec. 4 captured nine individuals.  All of the suspects were taken to military facilities for further questioning.

            Iraqi Firefighters turn in Ordnance
to U.S. Troops
Maj. Russ Goemaere, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO
 

BAGHDAD -Dec. 2, 2005- Iraqi firefighters from the Rusafa Fire Station in east Baghdad turned over more than 200 rounds of unexploded ordnance to elements of Task Force Baghdad for destruction Dec. 1. The firefighters gave 65 artillery rounds and 143 mortar rounds to elements of 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery.


BAGHDAD -- Iraqi firefighters from the Rusafa Fire Station in east Baghdad watch as Soldiers
from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery inventory unexploded ordnance Dec. 1. (U.S. Army photo)

This is a continuing effort and partnership between the leadership of the Rusafa Fire Station and 1st Bn., 9th FA to rid the area of unexploded ordnance and denying terrorists potential bomb-making material. "On Nov. 3, we secured a slightly smaller, but still significant, load of munitions in the same location. I am glad to be working with the firefighters here to make the community safer for everyone -- especially the children who like to play in areas where much of the unexploded ordnance still remains," said Maj. Jay Sawyer, operations officer for 1/9 FA.


BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery and Iraqi firefighters from the Rusafa Fire Station in east Baghdad watch as another Soldier inventories unexploded ordnance prior to its destruction Dec. 1. (U.S. Army photo)

            “The most exciting aspect to me is that the Iraqi citizens provide the Iraqi Security Forces and Fire Departments with the location of unexploded ordnance they find in their neighborhoods,” Sawyer added.  “The people want their communities safer and they look to the Iraqi government to provide that safety.” All of the ordnance was later destroyed by a U.S. explosive ordnance disposal team.

 

Iraqi, U.S. forces patrol streets of south Baghdad
Maj. Alayne Conway, 4th Brigade Combat Team PAO 

BAGHDAD Nov. 29, 2005– Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers kept the pressure on terrorists operating in the Al-Rashid district Nov. 27-28 in an effort to set the conditions for the Dec. 15 elections and deny the enemy the opportunity to carry out attacks. On Nov. 28, elements from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search in western Rashid detaining three terror suspects.

Iraqi forces from the 4th Public Order Brigade received small-arms fire in Dora Nov. 27 around 7 p.m.  The attackers fled and ran into a mosque, causing the Iraqi forces to follow them. The Ministry of Interior approved the mosque entry for the Iraqi forces at 11 p.m.  The Iraqi forces entered and found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an RPG round and 190 rounds of machine-gun ammunition.  There were no detainees in the incident.   

 Early in the evening of Nov. 27, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment responded to a coordinated attack involving a roadside bomb and small-arms fire in eastern Rashid.  The blast from the improvised explosive device caused minimal damage to the patrol.  The Soldiers immediately conducted a counterattack and found an initiation wire leading to a nearby house.  The Soldiers detained two terror suspects found in the house.

             Tip leads Iraqi Security Forces to car bomb
Maj. Russ Goemaere, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO
 

BAGHDAD  Nov. 29, 2005– A tip from a local resident, given to Iraqi Security Forces Nov. 28, may have helped save many lives. Elements of the Iraqi Army in Adhamiyah, working with Iraqi Police, responded to information provided by a citizen that a vehicle bomb was located near the Abu Baker School and Tahmad Gas Station in the Uhr neighborhood.When they reached the location, the Iraqi Army discovered a silver Hyundai with four 155-millimeter artillery rounds and one propane gas container inside.The area was immediately secured by the ISF and an Iraqi Police explosive ordnance disposal team rendered the improvised explosive device safe. 

“This was a great operation,” aid Capt. Dan Cummings, an operations officer with the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 64th Armor.  “Iraqi citizens are choosing the side of democracy and progress.  The citizen who reported this is a hero and may have saved the lives of many innocent children today.”

Bradley Fighting Vehicle hits roadside bomb
From the 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

 BAGHDAD Nov. 28, 2005-- A Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck a roadside bomb around 8 a.m. Nov. 28 in east Baghdad. One member of the Bradley crew sustained minor injuries in the attack and was quickly returned to duty. Elements of 1st Battalion, 64th Armor and Iraqi Police secured the area to prevent injury to nearby civilians.

            “We have gathered some intelligence on who might be responsible and we are working the issue right now with the Iraqi Security Forces and the local citizens to catch the responsible terrorists,” said Col. Joseph DiSalvo, commander of Coalition Forces in east Baghdad.  “The terrorists are willing to put innocent civilians at risk when they attack us.  It is important that local civilians continue to turn in suspected terrorists to the Iraqi Security Forces.”

Citizen’s tip about bomb saves lives
From the 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

 BAGHDAD Nov. 27, 2005-- A local citizen provided a potentially life-saving tip to the Iraqi Army in Sadr City Nov 26, alerting them to what appeared to be a bomb placed in the road.The civilian provided the tip to an Iraqi Army checkpoint around 10:30 a.m.
The Iraqi Army and Soldiers from Task Force Baghdad’s 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry responded to the scene, secured the site and kept civilian traffic out of harm’s way. Upon investigation, the Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad team discovered a 122-millimeter mortar round rigged with a remote detonating device.A U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal team responded rendered the bomb safe.

 

Task Force Baghdad/3ID

 ‘Teddy Troopers’ perform important mission in Iraq

Spc. Derek Del Rosario
Aviation Brigade PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – July 13, 2005-They can be seen parachuting into various areas around Baghdad.  Specially trained individuals recruited during Operation Iraqi Freedom 3, whose primary mission is to bring smiles to the faces of Iraqi children. 

These airborne “Soldiers” are actually “Teddy Troopers” or “Para-Bears,” stuffed animals with makeshift parachutes jumping into the arms and hearts of children during Operation Teddy Drop.


TAJI, Iraq - Spc. Benjamin L. Kepenke, a crew chief with C Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter),
prepares a “Teddy Trooper” for its descent to children below. Operation Teddy Drop is a humanitarian mission geared to give teddy bears to Iraqi children.
(Photo by Spc. Del Rosario, Aviation Brigade PAO)

The commander for this unique operation is Chief Warrant Officer 4 Randy M. Kirgiss, pilot for C. Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter).  He started the airborne mission as a way to impact the lives of Iraqi children.  He began the operation in mid-April, inspired by previous humanitarian efforts he had witnessed, as well as by Col. Gail Halvorsen, the “Berlin Candy Bomber” who dropped candy to German children during the Berlin Airlift. “I got the idea from a lot of my friends who conducted humanitarian missions on some of my previous deployments,” Kirgiss said.  “In Bosnia, I saw school supplies donated; in Kosovo, teddy bears were given out.  I wanted to model something after the Candy Bomber who parachuted bags of candy to kids.  It was from this idea that Operation Teddy Drop began.”

In order for his airborne humanitarian mission to get off the ground, Kirgiss needed support from his chain of command, his unit, and from friends and family to help him gather the stuffed animals.  He received complete support in helping him begin his humanitarian efforts. “Capt. Kirk, C. Co. commander, and Lt. Col. Haraldsen, 4-3 AHB commander, were very helpful -- they wanted this to happen,” Kirgiss said.  “They were very supportive, and they helped me brainstorm ideas to make the operation run safely and smoothly.”

In conjunction with his official flight missions, Kirgiss brings boxes of stuffed animals with makeshift parachutes along with him.  When he sees a child down below, he instructs a crew member to drop a Teddy Trooper. “There is a mission to be done, but dropping bears doesn’t take away from that mission,” Kirgiss said.  “We have the assets to do both our mission and execute Operation Teddy Drop effectively.”

Kirgiss originally told a group of eight friends and family members about the operation.  He received help in the form of donated stuffed animals and parachute supplies.  The original network of eight grew immensely, and Kirgiss began to receive donations from everywhere around the States; receiving old parachutes and boxes of teddy bears.  Kirgiss is even getting a donation from a well-known teddy bear manufacturer.

“Originally, I just wanted my friends and families to look into their kid’s closet to find old teddy bears to donate,” said Kirgiss.  “When unit members started talking and my friends started talking, through word of mouth it just got out and now I get donations from everywhere.” Kirgiss spends most of his free time, usually at night, making the parachutes for the Teddy Troopers.  The airborne recruits come in all shapes and sizes, so specialized parachutes usually have to be made.  Using material from old, donated parachutes, Kirgiss makes the parachute that is best suited for his troopers so they can complete their mission.  It takes Kirgiss approximately three minutes to make each chute.

The unit’s largest recruit jumped May 21 as part of the largest drop in the unit’s short history. “We received eight boxes of donated stuffed animals one day.  The boxes stacked to my ceiling,” Kirgiss said.  “The following day we dropped (more than) 200 stuffed animals, including the largest one we have ever received – a bear that was about 3 feet tall and weighed around six pounds.  I needed to make a special chute for that trooper.”

Kirgiss tries to get the plush toys to all kids, but his main aim is the poorer Iraqi children in the countryside.  “It can be a safety hazard to drop them in the city.  We don’t want kids running into the streets to get them,” said Kirgiss, also the safety officer of the company.  “When we can, we try to send the bears to urban and poorer areas, and for each kid we see we send down a bear so there is no fighting among the children.”

Sending these Teddy Troopers on their mission is very fulfilling for Kirgiss.  He enjoys seeing the smile on their faces when they get a hold of their new stuffed animals. “It’s a great thing to see, even from 200 feet above,” Kirgiss said.  “When we see those kids wave and we send down a bear, most kids will not know what it is at first.  Some hide behind their parents, some stay back in hesitancy, but once they see that parachute open, they know what it is and go running toward it.  Some even catch them before they hit the ground.”


TAJI, Iraq - Melbourne, Fla., native Spc. Richard Kanagie, B Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment,
prepares a “Teddy Trooper” for descent. 
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Mick Minecci, 214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) 

More than 900 Para-Bears have bravely jumped since the start of the operation.  It is Kirgiss’ hope to continue the humanitarian mission for the duration of his deployment and hopefully pass on the operation to the next aviation unit that comes to Taji.  For Kirgiss, it is a personally gratifying experience to be a part of the operation, and an operation he hopes will have an impact on the future.

“It is something I find very fun and constructive,” he said.  “Talking about it also helps me stay grounded to my two young children.  I can’t help but think that somewhere down the line we might be influencing the future decision makers of Iraq.  This operation is only a small way to show that we are human and compassionate.  We are Soldiers, but we are humane as well.”

 

DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced the death of  soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The mighty Third is back in the battle again. The 3d Infantry Division has been called back to Iraq to complete the job after they captured Baghdad in 2003. The insurgents have been halting efforts to bring an everlasting peace to the Iraqi citizens. The division was ordered back as Task Force Iraq, a duty to secure the city of Baghdad. Since their arrival the division has had 13 casualties with 6 deaths this month alone.

One of the killed in action on Feb. 26th, 2005 was PFC Min Soo Choi, a Korean immigrant here in the United States living in River Vale, NJ, my hometown, only 7 years. He loved this country dearly. After the attack on United States September 11, 2001 he was very upset knowing well what America did for his country during the Korean War, joined the Army and was later sent to serve with the 3d Infantry at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.

A memorial service was held for him in the school he attended. PFC Choi was not
an American citizen upon entering service and died that way. U.S. Senator Lautenberg, NJ, saw to it that he become a United States citizen posthumously,  Maj. Gen. Michael R. Mazzucchi, presented the parents with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge. Mrs. Angela Harris presented Mr. Choi with a pair of spurs and his Dog Tags with a picture of him before departing to Iraq. Mrs. Harris is the wife of LtCol. Michael J. Harris, PFC Choi’s Commander of the 8th Cavalry Regiment.

At the last reunion, General William Webster gave me a few “Outstanding Soldier” coins to present to the families of any 3d Division soldiers killed in action from New Jersey. Angela Harris and I made the presentation on behalf of the Society of the 3d Infantry Division.

A police escort was given to Arlington National Cemetery for the burial at 1:00 PM. Colonel John Insani, Secretary /Treasurer of Outpost 7, in the Washington DC area presented himself to the family. They recognized the 3d Division lapel button on his jacket and were immediately received by the family and were given a red rose for placement on the casket.
Colonel Insani has been instrumental in doing these honorable deeds often throughout the years and is most appreciated by me from Outpost 5.

Joseph M. Poggi
Outpost 5


Two soldiers from Fort Stewart killed in Iraq
They were the first casualties reported from the Division since its 19,000 soldiers deployed for a second tour in Iraq last month.

Sgt Daniel Torres was killed recently while serving in Iraq.
 (AP PHOTO/Family Photo) Family photo FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM /AP

The Associated Press, February 9, 2005
The 3rd Infantry Division has suffered its first fatalities since last month's deployment.

Staff Sgt. Steven G. Bayow, 42, of Colonia, on the island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia, and Sgt. Daniel Torres, 23, of Fort Worth, Texas, died Friday in Bayji, Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded, hitting their patrol vehicle.

Five other soldiers were wounded in the blast about 140 miles north of Baghdad.

Torres had been looking forward to the birth of his first child. His girlfriend is five weeks pregnant. But Torres' father said the young soldier had doubts he would return.
"The last time we saw him, he told us not to worry if the Army came to his house to tell us he had died," Sergio Torres said Tuesday from Fort Worth. "He had a hunch it would happen. When he came to visit us in December, he told us he didn't know if he would return."

Bayow entered the Army in 1999 and arrived at Fort Stewart in April 2003. Torres entered the Army in June 2001 and arrived at Fort Stewart that November. Both were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of the First Brigade. That's the same battalion as Sgt. Kevin Bendermen, who is seeking conscientious objector's status and facing charges of desertion and missing movement.

Although the exact mission of the soldiers' unit is unknown, division spokesman Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone said most of the troops have basically the same mission: helping the Iraqis to set up their own government by providing security and logistics as well as training Iraqi security forces.

Since May 1, 2003, when President Bush declared that major combat operations in Iraq had ended, 1,312 U.S. military members have died, according to AP's count. That includes at least 998 deaths resulting from hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

Savannah Morning News military reporter Michael Fabey contributed to this report.

April 18, 2005-Two soldiers based in Georgia have died in Iraq over the past few days, military authorities said Monday.

The Pentagon said Army Specialist Aleina Ramirez Gonzalez, 33, of Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, of the Fort Stewart-based 3rd Infantry Division was killed in a mortar attack in Tikrit on Friday.

Ramirez Gonzalez was assigned to the Third Brigade Troop Battalion of the 3rd Infantry based at Fort Stewart, officials said. She was the 20th Fort Stewart-based soldier to die since the 19,000 3rd Infantry members from the post deployed to Iraq in January for second time since the 2003 invasion.

Ramirez Gonzalez became the third Puerto Rican woman and the 28th person overall from the U.S. Caribbean territory to die in the Iraq war. Another five Puerto Ricans have died in Afghanistan.

"She was a brave one because it was the third time she went to Iraq," her father, William Ramirez, was quoted as saying in El Nuevo Dia newspaper's Monday edition.

Her father said that Ramirez Gonzalez was born in the southwestern town of Guayanilla and saw him as an example because he had spent 27 years in the U.S. military, serving in Vietnam for two years and twice in Iraq during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He said she was hoping to retire from military service after 20 years and become eligible for a pension.

He said his daughter arrived in Iraq for the last time in December after she joined up for active duty less than a year ago. Previously, Ramirez Gonzalez spent 14 years in the National Guard in the southern town of Yauco.

Pvt. 1st Class Steven F. Sirko, 20, of Portage, Ind., died Sunday Muqdadiyah, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries, officials said. Sirko was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, of the 3rd Infantry's 3rd Brigade, based at Fort Benning.

Pfc. Danny L. Anderson, 29, of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Feb. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from small arms fire. Anderson was assigned to the Army's 26th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Two 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers Killed in Iraq
RUSS BYNUM
Associated Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Even after 17 years in the Army with three combat deployments, Sgt. 1st Class David J. Salie maintained a playful appetite for mischief. As a father, he loved to wrestle his children on the floor and engage them in french-fry sword fights at McDonald's. As a soldier, he relished the adrenaline rush of gunfire and explosions.

"My husband said he was the ultimate Dennis the Menace," Salie's wife, Deanna, said Friday. "His job was wonderful because he got to blow up stuff, break things and do things that he got spanked for as a kid." Salie, 34, of Columbus died Monday when a bomb ripped open his armored Humvee in Baqouba, Iraq, killing him instantly. He was assigned to Fort Benning's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division.

The deaths of Salie and Pfc. David J. Brangman, 20, of Lake Worth, Fla. - killed Sunday in Uvanni, Iraq, when a mortar round hit his vehicle - raised to seven the number of 3rd Infantry troops killed since the Fort Stewart-based division deployed last month for its second tour in Iraq. "You never think that your son won't come home," Brangman's mother, Inez Ortiz, told the Palm Beach Post, saying her son had his 20th birthday two weeks before he was killed. "To lose your child in the same month that you brought him in is doubly hard."

When Salie arrived at Fort Benning in 2003 as an infantry platoon sergeant, he had served in the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989 and the 1991 Persian Gulf War. He stood an imposing 6 feet, 5 inches and weighed 230 pounds. But the veteran soldier was troubled about going to Iraq. His wife said he confided two months before deploying that he felt he wouldn't come home alive. He also left videotapes with personal messages for his wife and their three young children if his premonition came true.

On one tape, "he told me that he felt in his heart he was doing the right thing, he was going to right some wrongs he saw the last time he was there," Deanna Salie said. "He said the cause was bigger than himself and the cost was well worth it - meaning his life," she said. "I'm in total disagreement with him on that one, but that's what he said." Salie was killed on Valentine's Day. Days earlier his wife received a card from him, mailed from Kuwait, with a picture of an elderly couple on the front. "It had hearts on it that said `decrepit' and `over the hill,'" Deanna Salie said. "He wrote on the inside, `Ha, ha, ha. I'm sorry. They didn't have much of a selection and this was the best I could do.'"

Salie's father saw signs that his son, at an early age, wanted to be a soldier. Jim Salie was serving in Vietnam when he received a photograph in the mail of 2-year-old David, naked in the bathtub, saluting the camera. Twenty years later, father and son both deployed with the Army to the first Gulf War, where the elder Salie used his field-grade officer status to visit his grown-up, gung-ho son at his base camp. "He was chomping at the bit, he was ready to go war with his squad. He would say, `Dad, when are we gonna go,'" said Jim Salie, a retired policeman who spent 30 years in the Army and reserves. "David was a professional soldier and he knew what his job was. He was always very proud of his men." Salie's younger brother, Army Capt. Brian Salie, is also deployed to Iraq and is escorting his brother's body home for the funeral Wednesday.

Salie's children - 11-year-old Chyna, 6-year-old Luke and 2-year-old Hunter - will have fresh memories of their father for years to come on. "He made videos for my children for every important event in their life - their wedding days, birthdays," Deanna Salie said. "That's the kind of father he was."

Twenty-year-old Private First Class David Brangman of Lake Worth, Florida was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 69th Armor Regiment of the 3rd ID out of Fort Stewart. Defense officials say Brangman died Sunday at Patrol Base Uvanni, a military post in the Iraqi city of Samarra.


Soldier Who Died in Iraq Dreamed of Serving
'He loved what he was doing,' says a relative of the Iowan who died in a Humvee accident.

By WILLIAM PETROSKI
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
February 17, 2005

An Iowa soldier who died Sunday in Iraq loved his country and had wanted to serve in the U.S. Army since he was a little boy, a relative said Wednesday.

Spc. Dakotah "Koty" Gooding, 21, of Des Moines and two other Army soldiers died after their armored Humvee failed to negotiate a curve and plunged into frigid waters of a canal near Balad, Iraq, U.S. Department of Defense officials said.
A fourth U.S. serviceman drowned trying to save them, and several other soldiers involved in the rescue effort received medical treatment, military officials said. Temperatures in the area were about 30 degrees when the accident occurred at 5:10 a.m.


SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER
Proud to serve: Spc. Dakotah "Koty" Gooding, 21, of Des Moines enrolled in the Army at 17
and had served in Korea and the United States before being deployed to Iraq in January.
Copyright © 2004, The Des Moines Register.

Gooding grew up in Keokuk and joined the Army about four years ago, said Melissa Bonnell, 34, of St. Charles, the deceased soldier's cousin. His mother, Judith Gooding, moved to the Des Moines area about five years ago and now lives in Urbandale, where military officials notified her Sunday night of her son's death, Bonnell said.

Joined Army at 17
Gooding attended Scavo Alternative School and Lincoln High School in Des Moines, withdrawing from classes in October 2000, said Klark Jessen , district spokesman. Bonnell said Gooding enrolled in the Army at 17 and had served in Korea and the United States before being deployed to Iraq in January.
"From the time that he was 5 years old, he always played soldier. He always wanted to be a soldier, and he comes from a long line of military family members," Bonnell said. The family plans to display a photograph outside the soldier's casket that showed him grinning from ear to ear as a boy while wearing a military uniform.

Besides his mother, other immediate survivors include Gooding's wife, Angela, of Georgia and two sisters, Jessicca and Brandy, both of Des Moines. Tentative plans call for Gooding's funeral and burial to take place on Friday or Saturday in Georgia, Bonnell said. Relatives are in Georgia, awaiting the return of his body to the Fort Stewart military base.

Checking Rocket Fire
Gooding was an Army scout who served with the Army 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart. He and the other two soldiers who died Sunday morning had reportedly been sent to investigate rocket fire that had been bombarding their camp near Balad, about 50 miles north of Baghdad. Gooding was the 21st Iowa serviceman to die in Iraq or Afghanistan over the past two years.

"First and foremost, he loved his family and he loved God, and he loved what he was doing," Bonnell said. "He knew that he had a mission, and it was something that we had talked about in our family for ages, and it was to protect the United States. He knew that by protecting the surrounding countries and people and by making sure that all of God's children around the world were protected and safe, that we would be protected and safe."

Gooding was especially close to his mother, who is disabled, Bonnell said. He died about three weeks after arriving in Iraq. "The one thing that I can remember him saying before he even went over there was that he was telling his mom that he was going to be OK and he was going to be fine," Bonnell said.

April 27, 2005-Spc. Gary W. Walters Jr., 31, of Victoria, Texas, died April 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Walters was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

April 22, 2005-The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their dismounted patrol. Both Soldiers were assigned 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, and Fort Stewart, Ga.



Spc. Jacob M. Pfister, 27, of Buffalo, N.Y. 

 
Pfc. Kevin S. K. Wessel, 20, of Newport, Ore.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A soldier from western New York was killed when a car bomb exploded near his patrol in southern Baghdad, his family said Wednesday.
Spc. Jacob Pfister grew up in Buffalo and Evans but moved to Florida after joining the Army four years ago, his mother Amy MacGregor said.

A spokesman with the 3rd Infantry Division said the Tuesday night attack by a suicide bomber killed another U.S. soldier and wounded four. Seven Iraqi civilians were taken to the hospital with injuries.
The Department of Defense has not released information on Pfister's death.

MacGregor described her son as a serious man who loved his family.
``The way he put it to me is, `Mom, who would you rather have over there defending you, me or some other joker?''' MacGregor told WIVB-TV.
Pfister is survived by his wife, who is expecting their first child in June.
Funeral arrangements were pending.

Pfc. Wesley R. Riggs, 19, of Baytown, Texas died May 17 in Tikrit, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted position. Riggs was assigned to the Army's 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Pfc. Travis W. Anderson, 28, of Hooper, Colo., died May 13 in Bayji, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy. Anderson was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga

Spec. Steven R. Givens, 26, of Mobile, Ala., died May 8 in Balad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire. Givens was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Sgt. Andrew R. Jodon, 27, of Karthaus, Penn., died May 12 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Jodon was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Pfc. Kenneth E. Zeigler II, 22, of Dillsburg, Penn., died May 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Ziegler was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Staff Sgt. William J. Brooks, 30, of Birmingham, Ala., died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was conducting a route security mission and an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Brooks was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Victor M. Cortes III, 29, of Erie, Pa., died May 29 in Baghdad, Iraq of non-combat-related injuries. Cortes was assigned to the 703rd Forward Support Batttalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Soldiers are:

Sgt. Charles A. Drier, 28, of Tuscola, Mich.

Spec. Dustin C. Fisher, 22, of Fort Smith, Ark.

Pfc. Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, of Hoopeston, Ill. 

DoD Identifies Department of the Army
Civilian Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Department of an Army civilian who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ms. Linda J. Villar, 41, of Franklinton, La., died June 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when a mortar struck her forward operating base. Villar worked for the U.S. Army Field Support Command, Fort Stewart, Ga.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty
June 14, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Stanley J. Lapinski, of Las Vegas, Nev., died June 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Lapinski was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty
June 16, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Anthony G. Jones, of Greenville, S.C., died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sgt. Jones was assigned to the 104th Transportation Company, 36th Engineer Group, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Benning, Ga.

June 24, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Joseph M. Tackett, 22,   of Whitehouse, Ky., died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. Tackett was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

 

July 11, 2005

FORT STEWART, Ga. -- The Department of Defense announced Tuesday, July 5, the death of two 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Chad M. Mercer, 25, of Waycross, Ga. was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, Fitzgerald, Ga. Mercer died June 30 in Baghdad, Iraq when his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled over while conducting combat operations.

Mercer was an infantryman. He entered the Army March 17, 1998 and arrived at Fort Stewart December 6, 2004.

Specialist Rafael A. Carrillo, Jr., 21,  of Boys Ranch, Texas was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. Carrillo died June 28 in Baghdad, Iraq when an enemy mortar detonated near his HMMWV.

Carrillo was an indirect fire specialist. He entered the Army August 15, 2002 and arrived at Fort Stewart January 13, 2005

July 26, 2005

Spc. Adam J. Harting,   21, of Portage, Ind., died July 25 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Harting was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Sgt. Christopher J. Taylor,  22, of Opelika, Ala., died July 24 in Balad, Iraq, when he was hit by mortar rounds while he was exiting a bunker. Taylor was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

July 29, 2005

Pvt. Ernesto R. Guerra,    20, of Long Beach, Calif., died July 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained on July 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his HMMWV was involved in an accident. Guerra was assigned to the Army's 4-3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Edward L. Myers,  21, of St. Joseph, Mo., died July 27 in Samarra, Iraq, where his unit was conducting patrol operations and an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Myers was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

August 1, 2005

Pfc. Jason D. Scheuerman,    20, of Lynchburg, Va., died July 30 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Scheuerman was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

August 7, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died on Aug. 4, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, when their vehicle left the road and went into a river. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Killed were:
Pvt. 1st Class Damian J. Garza,  19, of Odessa, Texas.
Pvt. John M. Henderson Jr.,    21, of Columbus, Ga.

August 12, 2005

Spc. Miguel Carrasquillo,  25, of River Grove, Ill., died on Aug. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Carrasquillo was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

August 16, 2005

1st Lt. David L. Giaimo,    24, of Waukegan, Ill., died Aug. 12, 2005, in Tikrit, Iraq, where his HMMWV hit a land mine. Giaimo was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Rusty W. Bell,  21, of Pocahontas, Ark., died Aug. 12 in Taji, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Spc. Bell was assigned to the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. as a helicopter repairer. He entered the Army April 30, 2004. He arrived Feb. 7, 2005 to Hunter Army Airfield.

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.


Fallen Warriors: Listed Alphabetically

 

Pilots Foil Terrorist Rocket Attack


Overhead view of an Improvised Rocket Launcher, moments after being discovered about 15 miles southwest of Baghdad. The rocket launcher was aimed toward the road intersection. The launcher, along with the ammunition, were later destroyed. (U.S. Army Photo by 1-3 Attack Battalion)

May 18, 2005-Alert AH-64 Apache attack helicopter pilots from the 3rd Infantry Division’s Aviation Brigade disrupted a potential terrorist attack May 15.

The aircraft, from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Reconnaissance) spotted an improvised rocket launcher while providing security to ground forces from the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

The pilots spotted the improvised rocket launcher approximately 15 miles southwest of Baghdad.

Soldiers on the ground approached the site and determined that the rocket launcher was not loaded, but they did find ammunition located next to the launcher.

“The brigade has a talented group of aviators whose sole purpose is to support the Soldiers on the ground, said Maj. Mike Musiol, Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Reconnaissance), one of the pilots in the operation. “We were fortunate to locate a launcher that was going to be used against our troops or the Iraqi Army and prevent that from happening. We'll continue to make every effort to be in the correct place at the critical time and influence the outcome of each engagement."

The Soldiers secured the area, and an explosives team safely disposed of the rocket launcher.

By Aviation Brigade PAO

Reaching Out: Troops Help Clinic,
Deliver School Supplies

May 18, 2005-Hundreds of excited children gathered near a clinic as Soldiers passed out school supplies, book bags and toys. Inside the clinic, another group of troops unloaded boxes of medical supplies as Army medical professionals consulted with their Iraqi counterparts.

Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, serving as part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division; 3rd Infantry Division and supporting units conducted a humanitarian mission to the Husseiniya section of northwest Baghdad near Camp Taji on May 7. A large part of the mission was delivering medicine, vaccines, bandages, and vitamins to the Husseiniya clinic.

“About two weeks ago we identified what the facility needed in regards to medical supplies and training,” said Capt. Marc Pelini, effects coordinator for the 1/11th ACR. After dropping off the supplies, Army medical personnel were on hand to show the Husseiniya clinic’s staff how to properly use the supplies, Pelini said. Army personnel were also on hand to offer guidance to Iraqi doctors and assess whether past guidance had helped the efficiency of the clinic.

“We came back to assess whether they had taken our recommendations, and they had,” said Capt. Eva-Marie Austin, the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division’s medical planner from Catonsville, Md. “They’ve stocked certain things in the pharmacy, and they’ve made improvements here.”

The focus of the medical part of the mission was support, with Iraqi medical practitioners taking responsibility for providing the healthcare to their own people, and Army personnel helping to get them the supplies and organization they need. “We’re doing things behind the scenes, and we’re letting the Iraqi’s treat their people in the way they believe is the best way to treat them,” Pelini said.

Spc. Kris A. Zientara, of B Company, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, hands out toys to children in Husseiniya on May 7. "They know we're working for them and they're really appreciative," the Utica, N.Y. native said. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Matthew Wester, 100th MPAD)


Dr. (Col.) John Lammie, of 550th Area Support Medical Company, 3rd Infantry Division and senior physician on Camp Taji, examines an Iraqi woman's eyes during a mission to Husseiniya. Lammie consulted with Iraqi medical staff members about treatment for the woman. “I’ve met a lot of tremendously capable colleagues on the Iraqi side,” he said. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Matthew Wester, 100th MPAD)

“I’ve met a lot of tremendously capable colleagues on the Iraqi side,” said Dr. (Col.) John Lammie, of 550th Area Support Medical Company, 3rd Infantry Division and senior physician on Camp Taji. “My hope is that we can get them the infrastructure and be able to provide them with the tools to do the job they know how to do.”
As the Army doctors me with the clinic’s workers, neighborhood kids shrugged off the afternoon heat and crowded around a humvee, eventually forming a line to receive backpacks, notebooks, pencils, soccer balls and toys. “Everybody needs school supplies,” said Spc. Kris A. Zientara, of B company 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion and a Utica, N.Y., native. “It was a little hectic, but it turned out alright. We try our best to organize and go from there.”
“They know we’re working for them, and they’re very appreciative,” he said.
The crowd continued to grow as the Soldiers made sure every child got something.
“The turnout was good,” said Sgt. Michael J. Glenn, from Lacey, N.J., also a member of B Company. “Once we open the trunk, they come from everywhere.”

“The reception we’ve gotten here, no matter what the operation is, has been good,” he said.

Glenn said the wider civil affairs mission in Husseiniya includes distributing needed supplies, but also will also focus on improving sewage systems and infrastructure for the area.

‘We’re here to help them get back on their feet,” he said.
The children smiled gratefully after receiving the items from the civil affairs Soldiers.
The adults in the community were positive about the visit as well.
Lammie described the people he dealt with during the mission as polite and receptive.
Austin agreed.
“This is a very positive area. The people have received us well, have been very respectful” she said. “Overall, it’s been a good experience.”

By Spc. Matthew Wester
3/1 Armor Division PAO

 

Soldiers in Iraq Get to See Kids Graduate
 On Screen

May 18, 2005-The Associated Press - HINESVILLE, Ga.
Graduation season in this military town can be bittersweet for solider parents. When moms and dads are away at war, they miss the day when their graduates turn their tassels and pick up the diploma.
That's changing, if only a little, in Hinesville this year, home