Since 2001, 1568 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4469 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Iraq.
The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) series is a reminder that nearly every day, somebody gets the heartbreaking news that a friend, former classmate, or beloved family member will not be coming home from war.
As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, tonight we remember
three soldiers who died far from home in Iraq:
Capt. David E. Van Camp, 29, of Wheeling, West Virginia
Capt. Matthew G. Nielson, 27, of Jefferson, Iowa
Spc. Robert G. Tenney Jr., 29, Warner Robins, Georgia
Please take a moment below to remember them,
and all those who have lost their lives in these wars.
With American troops still serving in Iraq in non-combat roles, the majority of US casualties come from hidden bombs and indirect fire, when US bases come under mortar and rocket attack.
The latest casualties are three Fort Hood, Texas soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. They died of wounds suffered from a June 29 attack on their base in Badrah, in southern Iraq near the border with Iran.
Capt. David Van Camp, Capt. Matthew Nielson, and Spc. Robert Tenney Jr.
"Prayers for the Fallen" is a facebook page in their honor with their photographs.
This marked the second such strike on a U.S. military base in June. A June 6 rocket strike on a U.S. base in Baghdad in killed five American soldiers, written about at IGTNT.
The attacks have been attributed to the so-called Hizbullah Brigades, the Iranian-sponsored militia targeting U.S. soldiers and bases in Iraq. The attacks have resulted in a spike in U.S. casualties, with 15 dead, making June the deadliest month for U.S. troops in Iraq since 2009.
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Capt. David E. Van Camp, 29, of Wheeling, West Virginia
During his first deployment to Iraq in 2006, Cpt. Van Camp received shrapnel wounds from a bomb explosion, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Despite his injuries, the decorated soldier recovered and returned to duty.
David Edward Van Camp grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia where he graduated Wheeling Park High School in 2000. David attended Marian Military Institute in Alabama for two years before transferring to Marshall University, where he majored in criminal justice.
Captain Vancamp received his commission in June 2002 as an armor officer and was assigned to Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, since February 2011.
David Van Camp married Chelsea in March 2005 before getting deployed to Iraq from August 2006 to May 2007. They lived in Killeen, Texas near Fort Hood before he left on his second deployment. His family said he looking forward to coming home in two months, but sadly he lost his life in the June 29th rocket attack.
Capt. Van Camp was highly respected by the troops who served under him. His awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Badge and a Parachutist Badge, among many other decorations.
"Van Camp was committed to serving his country and he demonstrated valor, even in the face of danger," said Earl Ray Tomblin, who is acting as governor. "As our nation prepares to recognize our independence, we extend our sincere gratitude to all our military families, especially those who have lost loved ones. We are forever indebted to those who protect America's freedoms."
Capt. Van Camp leaves behind his wife, his parents and extended family, and his troops in G Troop.
Capt. David Van Camp is missed. May he rest in peace.
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Capt. Matthew G. Nielson, 27, of Jefferson, Iowa
While serving in the military Capt. Nielson earned nearly 10 military awards and decorations — including a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. He lost his life in a June 29th attack on his base in Iraq.
Matthew "Gunnar" Nielson was born in Omaha, Nebraska and was raised in Lincoln until his family moved to Iowa, first to Ogden, then to Jefferson. He was one of seven children and home-schooled through high school. Despite moving to Iowa, he remained a huge Nebraska Cornhuskers fan.
Matthew attended the University of Northern Iowa and was in Army ROTC where he had graduated in 2008 with a degree in history. He was also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Academic Honor Society.
Matthew worked off and on at Fareway grocery store through his high school years. He was a hard-worker and promoted to produce manager. But his friends said he intended to make the Army his fulltime career.
Nielson received his commission in May 2008 as an armor officer and entered the Army as a second lieutenant through the UNI ROTC. He was assigned to 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft Hood since November 2010.
Family members of Capt. Nielson issued the following statement:
“Since Matt was a small boy he loved anything military, so he died during what he loved best. Serving others was of the utmost importance to him and how he wanted to spend his life. He always gave his all, whatever he was doing. Matthew was a beloved son, brother, friend and soldier. He’s already home, and we know we’ll be together again someday. Apart, but forever in our hearts. Psalms 11.”
Among those Capt. Nielson leaves behind are his family and friends in Jefferson, and his men.
Capt. Matthew G. Nielson is missed. May he rest in peace.
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Spc. Robert G. Tenney Jr., 29, Warner Robins, Georgia
Spc. Tenney lost his life in the same June 29th rocket attack that took the lives of Capt. Van Camp and Capt. Nielson.
Robert Gregory Tenney comes from Warner Robins, Georgia, where is family still lives. Unfortunately, no further information was available at this time, and his family has requested privacy at this sad time.
Robert entered active-duty service in December 2006 as a cavalry scout. He was assigned to Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, since August 2010.
Spc. Tenney's awards and decorations include an Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with combat service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and an Overseas Service Ribbon.
Spc. Tenney leaves behind his family and friends.
Spc. Robert G. Tenney, Jr. is missed. May he rest in peace.
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Thanks to Timroff for our faithfully lighted candle IGTNT logo;
Other Photos by CalNM and linked Sources
Helping our troops: If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. Fisher House provides housing for families of injured troops and veterans who are recovering in hospitals, and Guardian angels for soldierspet assists the animal companions of our deployed military.
When our veterans come back home, they can find support at Welcome Back Veterans. Our recently returned veterans need jobs, and Veterans Green Jobs is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in forest and resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas. Encourage a Veteran, and see if you can help out.
About the IGTNT series: I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect, and remember the fallen, and to remind us that each casualty has family and friends who received the terrible news that their loved one has died at war.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB page. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries in the series which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma, Sandy on Signal, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, ccasas, JaxDem, and me, CalNM. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.