U.S. Casualties in Iraq & Afghanistan reported 6/9-6/19/06

DoD Identifies Army Casualty and Soldiers as Whereabouts Unknown
The Department of Defense announced today the death of one soldier and the identity of two soldiers listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. On June 16, in Baghdad, Iraq, the soldiers were manning a checkpoint when they came under enemy small arms fire. All three soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Killed was: Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Mass. Reported as DUSTWUN are: Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, Texas & Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore.

Spc. Brent W. Koch, 22, of Morton, Minn., died on June 16, in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Koch was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry Combined Arms Battalion, Hutchinson, Minn.

Spc. Jeremiah S. Santos, 21, of Minot, N.D., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 15 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Santos was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Sgt. Russell M. Durgin, 23, of Henniker, N.H., died on June 13, in Korengel, Afghanistan, when his unit took small arms fire. Durgin was assigned to the 32nd Infantry Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Capt. Patrick D. Damon, 41, of Falmouth, Maine, died in Bagram, Afghanistan, on June 15, from a non-combat related cause. Damon was assigned to the Army National Guard's 240th Engineer Group, Augusta, Maine. This incident is under investigation.

Sgt. Roger P. Pena Jr., 29, of San Antonio died in Musa Qulah, Afghanistan, on June 14, when his convoy came under enemy small arms fire during combat operations. Pena was assigned to the 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Lt. Col. Charles E. Munier, 50, of Wheatland, Wyo., died on June 12 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., from a non-combat related cause, which occured on June 5 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Munier was assigned to the Wyoming Army National Guard's training site in Guernsey, Wyo.

Two Soldiers Killed; Taliban Make False Success Claim American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2006 – Two coalition soldiers were killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan yesterday, and the Taliban falsely claimed to have killed nine U.S. soldiers today, military officials reported.
One coalition soldier was killed in Helmand province defending a combat logistics patrol from attacking Taliban extremists. The other soldier was killed while engaging enemy forces in Kunar province.
"Our thoughts and prayers extend to the families and comrades of our soldiers who sacrificed their lives today executing their mission and defending their fellow teammates," Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76 said.
"We sincerely regret their loss; their sacrifice will not be forgotten," he continued. "Our fallen soldiers selflessly served our Army, our nation and their fellow soldiers with honor and dignity. We will not be deterred from our mission of providing safety, security and progress for the nation of Afghanistan."
The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
In claims made to Afghan media, the Taliban today said they killed nine U.S. soldiers in the Dara Hazarbuz Cochak area of the Dai Chopan district in Zabul province.
This is another false Taliban claim in their attempts to gain support for their cause. No U.S. soldiers were killed in Zabul province today, officials said.
Afghan and coalition forces are on the offensive, not only enhancing security to the regions, but also bringing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the people of Afghanistan, officials said.
"The Taliban try to scare people with these claims and shake the coalition's commitment. They will fail in their efforts," said Col. Thomas Collins, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan spokesman.

Cpl. Bernard P. Corpuz, 28, of Watsonville, Calif., died in Ghanzi, Afghanistan, on June 11, from wounds sustained when his convoy came under enemy small arms fire and an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations. Corpuz was assigned to the 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 504th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Bomb Kills U.S. Soldier; Casualties IdentifiedAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2006 – A U.S. soldier was killed June 9, and the Defense Department has released the identities of servicemembers who died recently while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The soldier, from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, was killed by a homemade bomb while conducting a combat logistics patrol on the evening of June 9 near Diwaniyah, Iraq. The soldier's name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
The Department of Defense announced the identities of servicemembers killed in recent days while supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Army Sgt. Jose M. Velez, 35, of Bronx, N.Y., died in Kirkuk, Iraq, on June 9, of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee during combat operations. Velez was assigned to the Army Reserve 773rd Transportation Company, Fort Totten, N.Y.
Army Pvt. Benjamin J. Slaven, 22, of Plymouth, Neb., died on June 9 in Diwaniyah, Iraq, of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee. Slaven was assigned to the Army Reserve 308th Transportation Company, Lincoln, Neb.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel B. Crabtree, 31, of Canton, Ohio, died in Kut, Iraq, June 8 of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee. Crabtree was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Columbus, Ohio.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Clarence D. McSwain, 31, of Meridian, Miss., died in Baghdad June 8 of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his convoy vehicle. McSwain was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Army Spc. Luis D. Santos, 20, of Rialto, Calif., died in Buritz, Iraq, June 8 of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee during combat operations. Santos was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Seaman Apprentice Zachary M. Alday, 22, of Donalsonville, Ga., died June 9 from injuries sustained earlier in the day when the vehicle in which he was riding struck a land mine. His unit was conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. Alday was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 7th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Pvt. Benjamin J. Slaven, 22, of Plymouth, Neb., died on June 9, in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Slaven was assigned to the Army Reserve 308th Transportation Company, Lincoln, Neb.

Sgt. 1st Class Clarence D. McSwain, 31, of Meridian, Miss., died in Baghdad, Iraq on June 8, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle during combat operations. McSwain was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

2nd Lt. John S. Vaughan, 23, of Edwards, Colo., died in Mosul, Iraq, on June 7, when he encountered enemy small arms fire during a dismounted combat operations. Vaughan was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Two Soldiers Killed, One WoundedAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2006 – A coalition soldier died today during offensive operations against Taliban extremists in Afghanistan and another was killed in Iraq while on patrol June 9, U.S. military officials reported.
Afghan National Army and coalition forces had been engaged with a small group of extremists when the enemy fled into the village of Yaquob in Ghazni Province. Afghan and coalition forces surrounded the village to search for the extremists. During the search, a coalition truck struck a makeshift bomb.
The soldier was evacuated by air to a coalition hospital, but later died of his injuries. The joint forces continued searching the village, but were unable to locate the enemy fighters.
"We sincerely regret the loss of one of our brave soldiers today," said Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, Combined Joint Task Force 76 commander. "Our thoughts and prayers extend to his family and comrades, both the coalition and Afghan soldiers he proudly served with. His sacrifice will not be forgotten."
In Iraq, a 101st Sustainment Brigade soldier was killed and another was wounded by a makeshift bomb while conducting a combat logistics patrol near Kirkuk June 9.
The wounded soldier was taken to a coalition forces medical treatment facility.
The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel B. Crabtree, 31, of Canton, Ohio, died in Al Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Crabtree was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Columbus, Ohio.

Sgt. Jose M. Velez, 35, of Bronx, N.Y., died in Kirkuk, Iraq, on June 9, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Velez was assigned to the Army Reserve 773rd Transportation Company, Fort Totten, N.Y.

Sgt. Carlos E. Pernell, 25, of Munford, Ala. & Cpl. Andy D. Anderson, 24, of Falls Church, Va. were killed in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on June 6, when their camp received indirect enemy fire during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 46th Engineer Battalion, Fort Rucker, Ala.

Spc. Luis D. Santos, 20, of Rialto, Calif., died in Buritz, Iraq, on June 8, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Santos was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

1st Lt. Scott M. Love, 32, of Knoxville, Tenn. & Pfc. David N. Crombie, 19, of Winnemucca, Nev. were killed in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on June 7, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, Baumholder, Germany.