I Got the News Today (2/23/2007 Edition). Yesterday, the Department of Defense announced the name of seven deceased soldiers. According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count the number of names released by the DoD is now 3149 and there are two more names of the deceased awaiting notification of the next of kin and in Operation Enduring Freedom there are 370 deceased: Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Army casualty assistance officer came to the father's doorstep about 11 p.m. Wednesday.
"I'm really ..." he began. "I'm at a loss. My mind's been racing back and forth to, you know, little blurbs from childhood and just different highlights that come to mind. Nothing that would mean a whole lot to anyone else."
"He was," Jack said, his voice quavering at the anger and the pain of it, "the most pure and nicest person that I have ever met."
Soldier, formerly of Jupiter, dies in Afghanistan
More after the flip.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Jason D. Johns, 19, of Frankton, Ind., died Feb. 21 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related injury. His death is under investigation. Johns was assigned to the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
DoD News Release
"I would like everyone to know that I'm extremely proud of my dad's service to our country," Patrick said in a statement. "I love him deeply and will miss him terribly."
Connecticut soldier dies in Iraq of combat wounds
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Richard L. Ford, 40, of East Hartford, Conn., died Feb. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations. Ford was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
DoD News Release
"I love my job," Cleveland said in an interview published in the military magazine. "I love the little (children)."
Alaska man dies in Iraq
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when the vehicle they were in was struck by an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Killed were:
Sgt. Shawn M. Dunkin, 25, of Columbia, S.C.
Pfc. Matthew C. Bowe, 19, of Coraopolis, Pa.
Pfc. Adare W. Cleveland, 19, of Anchorage, Alaska
DoD News Release
"He was so laid back," she said. "There was never a reason to think he wouldn't be home because his . . . luck would get him by so many times."
Covington man killed in Iraq
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cpl. Timothy D. Lewis, 20, of Lawrenceburg, Ky., died Feb. 15 as a result of non-hostile action in Jolo, Republic of the Philippines. His death is under investigation. Lewis was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
DoD News Release
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of one soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Christopher K. Boone, 34, died Feb. 17 in Balad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. Boone was assigned to the 121st Infantry (Long Range Surveillance), Georgia Army National Guard, Fort Gillem, Ga.
The incident is under investigation.
DoD News Release
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here or here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here for the previous diary in this series or click the igtnt tag.