Defense Department Names Six OIF Casualties

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2007 – The Department of Defense announced the identities of six soldiers killed in recent days in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

-- Spc. Luis G. Ayala, 21, of South Gate, Calif., died Dec. 28 in Taji, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on combat patrol. Ayala was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

-- Pvt. David E. Dietrich, 21, of Marysville, Pa., died Dec. 29 in Ar Ramadi, of wounds suffered when his unit came into contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire while on a combat patrol. Dietrich was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.

-- Sgt. John M. Sullivan, 22, of Hixon, Tenn., died Dec. 30 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when an IED detonated near his vehicle while on a combat patrol. Sullivan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

-- Pfc. Alan R. Blohm, 21, of Kenai, Alaska, died Dec. 31 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when an IED detonated near his unit while on a combat patrol. Blohm was assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

-- Cpl. Jonathan E. Schiller, 20, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Spc. Richard A. Smith, 20, of Grand Prairie, Texas, died Jan. 31 in Baqubah, of wounds suffered when an IED detonated while they were conducting a combat patrol. Both soldiers were assigned to the 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.