U.S. Casualties in Iraq reported 12/13 - 12/14/05

Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Mitchell, 28, of Evansville, Ind. , died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 12, when an improvised expolosive device detonated near his M1A1 Abrams tank during combat operations. Mitchell was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Jared W. Kubasak, 25, of Rocky Mount, Va. , died in Baghdad, Iraq on Dec. 12, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during patrol operations. Kubasak was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Spc. Lex S. Nelson, 21, of Salt Lake City, Utah, died in Tikrit, Iraq on Dec. 12, when he fell from a guard tower. Nelson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. The incident is under investigation.

Staff Sgt. Keith A. Bennett, 32, of Holtwood, Pa. , died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Dec. 11, as the result of a suicide, vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Bennett was assigned to the Army National Guard's 28th Military Police Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Johnstown, Pa.

Staff Sgt. Travis L. Nelson, 41, of Anniston, Ala. and Sgt. Kenith Casica, 32, of Virginia Beach, Va. died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 10, as a result of enemy small arms fire. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.