U.S. Casualties in Iraq reported 12/31/05-1/2/06

Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Vanderhorn, 37, of Pierce, Wash., died in As Sinia, Iraq, on Jan. 1, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during patrol operations. Vanderhorn was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Marcelino R. Corniel, 23, of La Puente, Calif., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 31, when an enemy mortar attack occurred in the vicinity of his observation post. Corniel was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Fullerton, Calif.

Pvt. Jonathan R. Pfender, 22, of Evansville, Ind., died in Bayji, Iraq, on Dec. 30, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during patrol operations. Pfender was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Pfc. George A. Lutz, II, 25, of Virginia Beach, Va., died in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 29, when his dismounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Lutz was assigned to the Army's 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychologial Operations Group, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.