DoD Announces Change-in-Status of an Army Soldier Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier previously listed
as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Elmer C. Krause, 40, of Greensboro, N.C., has been unaccounted for since April
9, in Iraq, when his convoy came under attack by individuals using rocket-propelled
grenades and small arms fire. On April 23 his remains were recovered. Sgt. Krause
was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 724th Transportation Company, Bartonville, Ill.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Vallejo-born Army reservist mourned as hero, prankster
Remains found weeks after convoy strike near Baghdad

Cicero Estrella, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, April 25, 2004


Red-haired, freckle-faced Elmer Krause got into plenty of shenanigans while growing up in Vallejo, but military service brought out his serious side.

On Saturday, the military announced that the Army Reserve sergeant had been confirmed dead in Iraq and his remains found Friday.

Krause, who had been missing since his fuel convoy was attacked by insurgents west of Baghdad on April 9, would have turned 41 today. He is survived by a son, Jonathan, 9, and a brother and four sisters.

"He didn't express any regrets about going there," said Krause's older brother, Jim, 50, of Fairfield. "He wasn't afraid to go. He had talked about the young soldiers over there and how he wanted to be in a leadership role for them."

Jim Krause was joined Saturday by two sisters, his wife and other family members who wore red, white, blue and yellow ribbons over their hearts at a news conference at the California National Guard Armory in Fairfield. He recalled how his brother was teased because of his first name and hinted at a mischievous childhood.

"Everyone in our neighborhood knew him, and even those not from our neighborhood knew him," Jim Krause said as the rest of the family broke into sly smiles.

Elmer Krause was born and raised in Vallejo, the fourth of six children. Jim Krause said his brother earned his high school equivalency credential so he could enlist in the Navy at age 21.

In recent years, Krause had lived in Greensboro, N.C., where he worked as a painter for Timco Aviation Services.

Krause had served in the reserves since 1987 and was promoted to sergeant in 1995. He served first with the 424th Transportation Company in Galax, Va., and later transferred to the 724th Transportation Company of Bartonville, Ill., in November.

"He was very proud of the United States, and he wanted to serve his country again," said Diane Krause, Jim's wife. "He said he wanted to go to Iraq so that someone else could come back home."

Another soldier, Pfc. Keith "Matt" Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, and a contract worker, Thomas Hamill of Macon, Miss., were abducted in the same attack.

Krause's family had learned about his disappearance on Easter and held out hope that he was still alive after Maupin was shown in good health on a videotape released April 16. That hope came to an end this weekend when his death was confirmed.

"Please continue with your prayers, not only for his son, Jonathan, our family and close friends, but for Matt Maupin and others held captive, and all those soldiers who have been injured and their families," Jim Krause read from a statement.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggested contributions to an education fund for Krause's son. Donations can be sent to: Jonathan G. Krause, Minor Account, c/o Debbie Wright, First National Bank, P.O. Box 176, Seagrove, NC 27341.

Funeral services are pending.

E-mail Cicero A. Estrella at cestrella@sfchronicle.com

Krause had volunteered to go to Iraq. He said he could make a difference and, with his life experience, could help the younger guys. Krause would have turned 41 on April 25.

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http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_2936007

.... Krause described how his brother's body was found in a shallow grave with four other men and his remains had to be identified using DNA.

"His eyes watered up and started to tear when I told him that and he said, 'I'm so sorry' and that 'Elmer was in a better place,'" Krause said.

Krause and his family spent about 10 to 15 minutes with the president, he said.

"I asked him, 'Why us? Why did you take the time out of your schedule to meet with us?' He said he wanted to meet with all the families at that time," Krause said.

Krause has relied heavily on his faith since his brother's death.

"I go through different times when I get teary-eyed and well up in the throat and I'm sure my sisters do, too," he said. "But I'm a strong Christian and with the faith I have É I have every assurance there is a hereafter."

Since Elmer's passing, Krause has attended various honors bestowed upon his late brother.