Six Soldiers Killed in Iraq; DoD Identifies Eight Previous Casualties

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2007 – Six Army soldiers were killed and four wounded yesterday during operations across Iraq, defense officials said.

-- Three Multinational Division Center soldiers were killed yesterday, and one soldier was wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated while they patrolled south of Baghdad.

-- One Multinational Division Baghdad soldier died yesterday, and three others were wounded during an indirect-fire attack targeting units operating south of the Iraqi capital.

-- One Multinational Division North soldier died yesterday from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Diyala province.

-- One Task Force Lightning soldier died yesterday of wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Salah Ad Din province. The servicemembers' identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department has released the names of seven soldiers and a sailor who died recently during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

-- Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph C. Schwedler, 27, of Crystal Falls, Mich., died April 6 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Schwedler was assigned to East Coast Navy SEAL Team.

-- Army Pfc. Jay S. Cajimat, 20, of Lahaina, Hawaii, died April 6 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when a car bomb detonated near his unit. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

-- Army Pfc. Daniel A. Fuentes, 19, of Levittown, N.Y., died April 6 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley.

-- Army Sgt. Forrest D. Cauthorn, 22, of Midlothian, Va., died April 5 in Hawijah, Iraq, from wounds suffered during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

-- Army Spc. Jason A. Shaffer, 28, of Derry, Pa., died April 5 in Baqubah, Iraq, when a car bomb detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Shaffer was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

-- Army Staff Sgt. Jerry C. Burge, 39, of Carriere, Miss.; and Cpl. Joseph H. Cantrell IV, 23, of Ashland, Ky., died Apr. 4 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.

-- Army Pfc. James J. Coon, 22, of Walnut Creek, Calif., died April 4 in Balad, Iraq, when an IED detonated near his vehicle. Coon was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.