| MENCHACA,
KRISTIAN Remains recovered Name:
Kristian Menchaca Other Personnel in Incident: Killed,:
Spc. David J. Babineau |
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Relatives of Missing Soldier Hope for His Return Monday, June 19, 2006 DALLAS — In his calls and notes from Iraq, Army Pfc Kristian Menchaca told relatives about his dangerous assignment at military checkpoints. Family members of the 23-year-old Houston soldier said Sunday they were hoping for Menchaca's safe return upon learning he was one of two servicemen reported missing in Iraq after an insurgent attack on a checkpoint on Friday. "I was 95 percent sure he was one of them," Menchaca's
brother, Julio Cesar Vasquez, of Houston, told The Associated Press late
Sunday. "I already had an idea because he was at a
checkpoint.".... Al Qaeda-linked group claims it kidnapped 2 U.S. soldiers BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An al Qaeda-affiliated group on Monday claimed it kidnapped two U.S. soldiers south of Baghdad, although the captives were not named. The group -- Mujahedeen Shura Council -- made the unverified claim in a statement posted on a Web site. It did not post images or video of the soldiers as it has in the past. The statement said, "the strongest army in the world is turned around, ashamed of their failure [to find the soldiers] and we will give you more information on the incident in the following days." .....
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NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of
Defense
No. 588-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jun 22, 2006 Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000 Public/Industry(703)428-0711 DoD Identifies Army Casualties The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained on or about June 16. Both soldiers were previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. Their unit came under enemy small-arms fire while manning a checkpoint during combat operations, and both soldiers were taken by enemy forces. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Killed were: Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore. Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of San Marcos, Texas This incident is under investigation. For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000. |