U.S. Casualties in Iraq & Afghanistan 11/16/05

Reported in D.O.D. releases dated 11/16/05

Lance Cpl. Nickolas D. Schiavoni, 26, of Haverhill, Mass. , died Nov. 15 from a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Al Karmah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N. C.

Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner, 36, of Waukegan, Ill. , died in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, on Nov. 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during a supply distribution mission. Ochsner was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N. C.

Cpl. John M. Longoria, 21, of Nixon, Texas, died Nov. 14 of wounds sustained from small arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Steel Curtain in New Ubaydi, Iraq. Maj. Ramon J. Mendoza Jr. , 37, of Columbus, Ohio, and Lance Cpl. Christopher M. McCrackin, 20, of Liverpool, Texas, both died Nov. 14 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Steel Curtain in New Ubaydi, Iraq. All three Marines were assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).