U.S. Casualties in Iraq reported 12/15-12/16/05

Cpl. Michael B. Presley, 21, of Batesville, Miss., died Dec. 14 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany of wounds sustained from a suicide, vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 12. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Michael S. Zyla, 32, of Elgin, Ore. Sgt. Brian C. Karim, 22, of Talcott, W. Va. Spc. James C. Kesinger, 32, of Pharr, Texas and Spc. Peter J. Navarro, 20, of Wildwood, Mo. died in Taji, Iraq, on Dec. 13, where they were conducting combat operations when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. The Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Riley, Kan.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Pospisil, 35, of Andover, Minn., died Dec. 14 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.