Nine Servicemembers Killed in Iraq; Previous Casualties Identified

American Forces Press Service

April 29, 2007 – Four U.S. soldiers were killed and three were wounded in Iraq April 28, while three U.S. soldiers and two Marines died April 27 during Iraq operations, military officials reported, and the Defense Department released the identities of two Marines killed recently in Iraq.

-- Three U.S. soldiers were killed and one soldier suffered injuries when their patrol encountered a roadside bomb southeast of Baghdad April 28. -- One U.S. soldier was killed and two were wounded when their patrol was struck by a roadside bomb south of Baghdad April 28.

-- Three U.S. soldiers and two Marines were killed April 27 while conducting combat operations in al Anbar province. The servicemembers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of two Marines who were killed recently in Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Willie P. Celestine Jr., 21, of Lafayette, La., died April 26 while conducting combat operations in al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Adam E. Loggins, 27, of Athens, Ga., died April 26 from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)