Eight Soldiers, Marine Killed in Iraq; DoD Identifies Earlier Casualties

American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2007 – Eight U.S. soldiers and a Marine died recently during operations in Iraq, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified previous casualties.

Four U.S. soldiers died yesterday when a makeshift bomb detonated while they patrolled in western Baghdad, military officials in Iraq reported. Small-arms fire followed the blast, wounding another soldier. Elsewhere, a Multinational Corps Iraq soldier died yesterday as a result of being shot while conducting operations in Baqubah. Also, a Task Force Lightning soldier died yesterday from injuries sustained from an explosion while conducting combat operations in Diyala province.

Five other soldiers were wounded in the attack and taken to a coalition medical facility for treatment. A Marine assigned to Multinational Force West also died yesterday while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. In addition, a Task Force Lightning soldier died yesterday in Tikrit in a non-combat- related incident, which is under investigation, Officials said a Multinational Division Baghdad soldier was killed March 16 when a makeshift bomb detonated while his unit conducted a dismounted area reconnaissance patrol south of Baghdad. Three other soldiers were wounded by the blast.

The names of the deceased are being withheld until their families are notified.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the names of 11 soldiers and a Marine who died recently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

--Army Sgt. Robert M. Carr, 22, of Warren, Ohio, died Mar. 13 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when a makeshift bomb detonated near his vehicle. Carr was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

--Army Pfc. Alberto Garcia Jr., 23, of Bakersfield, Calif., died Mar. 13 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire and a makeshift bomb. Garcia was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

--Army Spc. Forrest J. Waterbury, 25, of Richmond, Texas, died Mar. 14 near Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

--Army Spc. Adam J. Rosema, 27, of Pasadena, Calif., died Mar. 14 south of Baqubah of wounds suffered when a makeshift bomb detonated near his vehicle during recovery operations. Rosema was assigned to the 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. -

-Army Cpl. Brian L. Chevalier, 21, of Athens, Ga., died Mar. 14 in Mufrek, Iraq, of wounds suffered when a makeshift bomb detonated near him. Chevalier was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

--Army Spc. Stephen M. Kowalczyk, 32, of San Diego, died Mar. 14 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire. Kowalczyk was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

--Army Spc. Joshua M. Boyd, 30, of Seattle, died Mar. 14 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, of wounds sustained when a makeshift bomb exploded near his unit Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris, 27, of Hampton, Ga.;
Army Staff Sgt. Terry W. Prater, 25, of Speedwell, Tenn.;
Army Sgt. Emerson N. Brand, 29, of Rigby, Idaho; and
Army Pfc. James L. Arnold, 21, of Mattawan, Mich., died Mar. 15 in Baghdad when a makeshift bomb detonated near their unit during combat operations. All four were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

--Marine Lance Cpl. Raymond J. Holzhauer, 19, of Dwight, Ill., died March 15 from a non-hostile incident in Anbar province. His death is currently under investigation. Holzhauer was assigned to 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.