Gulf War II
Operation Iraqi Freedom

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 MISSING (MIA)
Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN)

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Pfc. William C. Ramirez, 19, of Portland, Ore.

Sgt. Elijah Tai Wah Wong, 42, of Mesa, Ariz.

-Operation Enduring Freedom-
     Marine Corps Pfc. James R. Dillon Jr., 19, of Grove City, Pa., died March 13, 2003, in Kuwait. Dillon died of a non-combat related injury. He was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. 
     Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Profitt, 23, of Charlestown, Ind. died March 17, 2003, while in the Red Sea. Profitt died of a non-combat related injury. He was assigned to the USS Deyo, home ported in Norfolk, Va.
     Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Darrell Jones, 22, of Wellston, Ohio, died Oct. 8, 2003, in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. Jones died of non-combat related injuries. He was assigned to the USS Higgins, home ported in San Diego, Calif.

-Operation Iraqi Freedom-
     Army Spc. Tamarra J. Ramos, 24, of Quakertown, Pa., died Oct. 1, 2003, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington D.C. Ramos die d of non-combat related injuries. She was assigned to the 3rd Armor Medical Company, Medical Troop Regimental Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
      Army Sgt. Linda C. Jimenez, 39, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died Nov. 8, 2003, at WRAMC. On Oct. 31, 2003, Jimenez fell and was injured. She was taken to the 28th Combat Support Hospital and later evacuated to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center. Subsequently, she was moved to WRAMC where she later died. Jimenez was assigned to the 2nd Squadron Combat Support Aviation (Maintenance), 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, La.
     Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class David Sisung, 21, of Phoenix, Ariz., died June 6, 2003, while in the Persian Gulf. Sinsung died of a non-combat related injury. He was assigned to the USS Nimitz, home ported in San Diego, Calif.
     Air Force Master Sgt. David A. Scott, 51, of Union, Ohio, died as a result of a non-hostile cause on July 20, 2003, in Doha, Qatar. He was assigned to the 445th Communications Flight, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

-Other Correction-
The examination also disclosed that the announcement of the death of Army Pfc. Kristian E. Parker (http//www.defenselink.mil/releases/2003/nr20031001-0497.html) was incorrectly characterized at the time as an Operation Iraqi Freedom-related death. Parker was serving as part of Operation Enduring Freedom when he died. 

By Lt. Col. Andrew Straw
February 4, 2004

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 4, 2004) -- At kickoff, I was touching up the shine on my combat boots. I thought of calling my wife in Charlotte, N.C., but she had already gone across town to a Super Bowl party.

As I left Washington for the drive to the airfield, the fist half was winding down and the score was still 0-0. I couldn't find the game on the car radio and forgot about football for the next 30 minutes.

I arrived at Davison Army Airfield to find the eight young Soldiers from the Honor Guard, also dressed in camouflage fatigues, sprawled out in the small passenger lounge. They were ogling the halftime show on TV and wisecracking back and forth just like thousands of other groups of young guys across the country at that moment. I learned that the score was 14-10, Panthers behind.

The general arrived five minutes later, just as the pilot stepped in to say the aircraft was ready. Anita called from Charlotte on my cell just as I was walking out the door-"Can't talk, gotta go." On the TV behind me, play was just beginning for the second half.

The ten of us followed a sergeant through the darkness from the near-deserted terminal to the waiting helicopter. As we carefully tiptoed across patches of ice on the apron, one of the Honor Guard soldiers whispered something about Janet Jackson.

Another Soldier beamed with adventure as he climbed in, "It reminds me of the first time I rode a tractor!" I was beaming too. It would be my first ride on an Army Blackhawk.

I was warned in advance that Black Hawks had no heaters, and had bundled up with two layers beneath my uniform. The night was clear. We flew to Delaware at low altitude over beautiful snow-covered scenery. We landed at Dover Air Force Base 45 minutes later, and parked near a huge C-141 cargo plane with Air Force Reserve markings. The rear doors and ramp were open, and light spilled from the huge cargo bay.

I followed the general as he was quickly ushered into a small, neat passenger lounge. Coffee? Water? The game was on TV; the score was 22-21. A half dozen others in various uniforms were waiting. I introduced myself to a major from New York City -- a forensic dentist in the Army Reserve, called up to help out for a 30-day tour. A Methodist minister serving as an Air Force chaplain bragged about the support his wife gives him while he is recalled to active duty.

While the general got a briefing on the mission details, an Air Force colonel gathered the rest of us together, and we marched out to the C-141. I followed him up the ladder into the cargo bay. It was empty except for the three oblong boxes in a perfect row down the center. Two loadmasters were adjusting the ramp in the rear of the aircraft, and several others were carefully arranging U.S. flags over each of the boxes. A congenial major explained the proceedings to follow the way a priest leads a family through a wedding rehearsal.

I line up with the flight crew along the fuselage, facing the caskets. Attention! The Honor Guard marches in silently; wearing white gloves with their camouflage uniforms now. The General marches up the ramp with the Air Force wing commander, a colonel. The chaplain says a prayer with all the right words: fallen warriors...the Army family...selfless service...the price of freedom.

Nobody is thinking about football. Nobody. The young Soldiers from the Old Guard are standing smartly, solemnly, expressionless. No slouching or snickers now, only the serious task at hand. Ready...Down! Ready...Up! Ready...Face! Forward...March! They move to the measured commands with astounding precision.

In the cold dark night, there are fewer than two dozen of us present. No outsiders are watching, but those young men give a TV-quality performance, as if their burden was a fallen president. Present Arms! We salute as the first remains are marched off the plane under the watchful gaze of the general. He salutes.

We do it again for the second set and the third. The unmarked, clean, white truck then drives off very slowly with its red, white, and blue-draped cargo. The Honor Detail marches behind it. The General dismisses us.

Back in the small lounge, the game is still on, eight seconds left. I watch the unfolding excitement numbly.

Welcome home, fallen sergeant, corporal, and private first class.

You missed the Super Bowl. The Patriots won.

Thank you.

Editor's note: Sgt. Eliu Miersandoval, 27, Cpl. Juan Cabralbanuelos, 25, and Pfc. Holly McGeogh, 19, of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, died Jan. 31 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during convoy operations. Lt. Col. Andrew Straw is an Army Reserve officer from Charlotte. He has been serving on active duty at the Pentagon with the Army's G3 since October 2002.)

Sgt. Eliu A. Miersandoval, 27, of San Clemente, Calif.

Cpl. Juan C. Cabralbanuelos, 25, of Emporia, Kan.

Pfc. Holly J. McGeogh, 19, of Taylor, Mich.

No. 068-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 2, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom when their vehicle was hit on Jan. 31 by an improvised explosive device during convoy operations in Kirkuk, Iraq.  Killed were:
            Sgt. Eliu A. Miersandoval, 27, of San Clemente, Calif.
            Cpl. Juan C. Cabralbanuelos, 25, of Emporia, Kan.
            Pfc. Holly J. McGeogh, 19, of Taylor, Mich.
            The soldiers were assigned to Company A, 4th Forward Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Mech), Fort Hood, Texas.    The incident is under investigation.

Spc. Robert J. Cook, 24, of Sun Prairie, Wis

Spc. Adam G. Kinser, 21, of Sacramento, Calif

Sgt. 1st Class Curtis Mancini, 43, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Staff Sgt. James D. Mowris, 37, of Aurora, Miss

Spc. Justin A. Scott, 22, of Bellevue, Ky

Sgt. Danton K. Seitsinger, 29, of Oklahoma City, Okla

2nd Lt. Luke S. James, 24, of Oklahoma.

Staff Sgt. Lester O. Kinney II, 27, of Zanesville, Ohio.

Sgt. Cory R. Mracek, 26, of Hay Springs, Neb

ONE SOLDIER STILL MISSING IN THIS INCIDENT

No. 060-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 29, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
     The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The three Combined Joint Task Force Seven soldiers were killed in an improvised explosive device attack on Jan. 27 near Iskandariyah.  Killed were:
     2nd Lt. Luke S. James, 24, of Oklahoma.
     Staff Sgt. Lester O. Kinney II, 27, of Zanesville, Ohio.
     Kinney and Luke were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry, Fort Bragg, N.C.
     Sgt. Cory R. Mracek, 26, of Hay Springs, Neb.  Mracek was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery, Fort Bragg, N.C.      The incident is under investigation.

SEE JANUARY 30
UPDATE

Sgt. Keith L. Smette, 25, of Fargo, N.D.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Hendrickson, 41, of Bismarck, N.D.

No. 054-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 27, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of two National Guard soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The Task Force "All American" soldiers died as a result of their injuries on Jan. 24 after the convoy they were in was attacked with an improvised explosive device north of Fallujah, Iraq.  Killed were:
            Sgt. Keith L. Smette, 25, of Fargo, N.D.
            Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Hendrickson, 41, of Bismarck, N.D.
            Both soldiers were assigned to 957th Engineer Company, 130th Engineer Brigade, Bismarck, N.D.   The incident is under investigation.

Spc. Jason K. Chappell, 22, of Hemet, Calif.

Spc. William R. Sturges Jr., 24, of Spring Church, Pa.

Sgt. Randy S. Rosenberg, 23, of Berlin, N.H. 

No. 053-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 27, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Three Task Force "All American" soldiers were killed when a vehicle-based improvised explosive device detonated in Khalidiyah, Iraq, Jan. 24.  Killed were:
            Spc. Jason K. Chappell, 22, of Hemet, Calif. 
            Spc. William R. Sturges Jr., 24, of Spring Church, Pa. 
            Sgt. Randy S. Rosenberg, 23, of Berlin, N.H. 
            The soldiers were assigned to Company B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Fort Hood Texas.      The incident is under investigation.

Three Missing Following Accidents, One Dead After Combat
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2004 – One accident appears to have spawned another and three American soldiers are missing near Mosul.
Four U.S. soldiers were conducting a patrol on the Tigris River Jan. 25 when their patrol boat rolled over. Three soldiers escaped and a fourth was missing.
News reports said two Iraqi policemen and an Iraqi translator died in the incident.
U.S. and Iraqi personnel began searching the river for the missing American. Two Kiowa OH-58 helicopters responded and joined the search. One crashed into the river, and its pilots are missing.
All are soldiers under the operational control of the 101st Airborne Division.
Pentagon officials said there was no indication that any enemy activity was involved in either incident.
Search efforts are still underway for the three soldiers.
A 4th Infantry Division soldier on a combat patrol in Bayji, Iraq, was wounded and later died Jan. 24.
The soldier was riding in a Bradley fighting vehicle when a rocket-propelled grenade struck it.
Soldiers in another Bradley returned fire and suppressed further attacks. The patrol captured six men. News reports indicate the men were carrying weapons and may have been part of the group attempting to ambush the American patrol. They are being held for questioning.
The loss of the Kiowa was the fifth this month, DoD officials said. Enemy fire allegedly brought down three of the choppers, while accidents allegedly caused the other two to crash. Officials said the military continues to evaluate all aspects of the mishaps and will make changes to the training, tactics and procedures as needed.

No. 048-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 25, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
     The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
     Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) Michael T. Blaise, 29, from Tenn. and Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) Brian D. Hazelgrove, 29, of Fort Rucker, Ala., were killed Jan 23 when their OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter crashed on its way back from a combat mission near Mosul in northern Iraq. 
     Blaise was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Aviation Brigade based at Fort Campbell, Ky.  Hazelgrove was assigned to 3rd  Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Aviation  Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) based at Fort Drum, N.Y.      The incident is under investigation.

 Spc. Gabriel T. Palacios, 22, of Lynn, Mass. 

     Pfc. James D. Parker, 20, of Bryan, Texas.

No. 043-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 22, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
     The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The 4th Infantry Division soldiers were killed in a mortar attack on a forward operating base near Ba'qubah the evening of Jan. 21.  Killed were:
     Spc. Gabriel T. Palacios, 22, of Lynn, Mass.
     Pfc. James D. Parker, 20, of Bryan, Texas.
     Both soldiers were assigned to the 588th Engineer Battalion (Heavy), 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.     This incident is under investigation.

Spc. Larry E. Polley, Jr., of Center, Texas

Sgt. Edmond L. Randle, 26, of Miami, Fla.,

TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 10) - An Army helicopter pilot who had survived cancer and a battle in Somalia depicted in the film "Black Hawk Down" was among nine soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq, his family said Friday.  Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver, ......
Associated Press writer Robert Weller in Denver contributed to this story.

No. 018-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 9, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTY
     The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Sgt. Jeffrey C. Walker, 33, of Havre de Grace, Md., was killed Jan. 8 in Fallujah, Iraq. Walker was onboard a UH-60 when it crashed while on a MEDEVAC mission.  He was assigned to Company C, 782nd Main Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
     The names of eight other soldiers killed in the crash of this UH-60 were released in two previous news releases earlier today.
     The incident is under investigation.

No. 019-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 9, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTY
     The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
     Pfc. Jesse D. Mizener, 24, of Auburn, Calif., was killed Jan. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.  Mizener was killed when a mortar round hit the Logistics Base.   Mizener was assigned to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, 593rd Corps Support Group, Fort Lewis, Wash.      The incident is under investigation.

Chief Warrant Officer Philip A. Johnson, Jr., 31

Chief Warrant Officer Ian D. Manuel, 23, of Florida

Chief Warrant Officer Aaron A. Weaver, 32, of Florida

No. 017-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 9, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
     The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were killed when their UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed Jan. 8 near Fallujah, Iraq.  The soldiers were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Killed were:
     Staff Sgt. Craig Davis, 37, of Opelousas, La.  Davis was assigned to the 603rd Transportation Company, 142nd Corps Support Battalion, Fort Polk, La.
     Chief Warrant Officer Philip A. Johnson, Jr., 31, of Alabama.  Johnson was assigned to the 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Fort Carson, Colo.
     Chief Warrant Officer Ian D. Manuel, 23, of Florida.  Manuel was assigned to the 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Fort Carson, Colo.
     Chief Warrant Officer Aaron A. Weaver, 32, of Florida.  Weaver was assigned to C Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
     The names of four other soldiers killed in this crash of this UH-60 were released previously today.  The name of one soldier has not been released at this time, but will be released when authorized.     The incident is under investigation.

Sgt. 1st Class Gregory B. Hicks, 35, of Duff, Tenn

Spc. Nathaniel H. Johnson, 22, of Augusta, Ga. 

Spc. Christopher A. Golby, 26, of Johnstown, Penn

No. 016-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 9, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
     The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were killed when their UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed Jan. 8 near Fallujah, Iraq.  The soldiers were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Killed were:
     Spc. Michael A. Diraimondo, 22, of Simi Valley, Calif.  Diraimondo was assigned to the 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance), based in Fort Carson, Colo.
     Sgt. 1st Class Gregory B. Hicks, 35, of Duff, Tenn.  Hicks was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas.
     Spc. Nathaniel H. Johnson, 22, of Augusta, Ga.  Johnson was assigned to Company D (Aviation), 82nd Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, N.C.
     Spc. Christopher A. Golby, 26, of Johnstown, Penn.  Golby was assigned to the 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) based in Fort Carson, Colo.      This incident is under investigation.

No. 010-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 6, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTY
     The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Spc. Luke P. Frist, 20, of West Lafayette, Ind., died of wounds on Jan. 5 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  Frist was part of a convoy that was struck with an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq.  Frist was assigned to the 209th Quartermaster Company, U.S. Army Reserve, based in Lafayette, Ind.   This incident is under investigation.

No. 008-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 5, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTY
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
            Capt. Eric T. Paliwoda, 28, of Texas, was killed on Jan. 2 in Balad, Iraq.  Paliwoda was in his command post when it came under mortar attack.  He died of injuries sustained in the attack.  Paliwoda was assigned to 4th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), based in Fort Carson, Colo.  This incident is under investigation.

No. 007-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 5, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTY
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
            Sgt. Dennis A. Corral, 33, of Kearney, Neb., died on Jan. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq.  He was in a convoy going to the Baghdad International Airport when his vehicle went out of control and rolled over.  Corral was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.             This incident is under investigation.

No. 003-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 4, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTY
     The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Capt. Kimberly N. Hampton, 27, of Easley, S.C., was killed on Jan. 2, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq.
     Hampton, was the pilot on a Kiowa, OH-58, Observation Helicopter when it was shot down by enemy ground fire and crashed.  Hampton died as a result of her injuries. 
     Hampton was assigned to 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.     This incident is under investigation.

Spc. Solomon C. Bangayan, 24, of Jay, Vt.

Spc. Marc S. Seiden, 26, of Brigantine, N.J.

No. 002-04 
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 4, 2004 
DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES
     The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     The soldiers were killed on Jan. 2, 2004, in Baghdad, Iraq, when their convoy was ambushed by the enemy who used an improvised explosive device (IED), small arms fire, and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).  Killed were:
     Spc. Solomon C. Bangayan, 24, of Jay, Vt.
     Spc. Marc S. Seiden, 26, of Brigantine, N.J.
     The soldiers were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.