Nine Killed, Three Wounded in Iraq; Previous Casualties Identified

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 23, 2007 – Nine servicemembers died and three were wounded yesterday in Iraq, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified 20 previous casualties.

-- Three Multinational Division Center soldiers died and two were wounded when multiple improvised explosive devices struck their patrol in Baghdad. An interpreter also was wounded in the attack.

-- Two Task Force Lightning soldiers died when an explosion detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad.

-- Two Marines assigned to Multinational Force West died during combat in Anbar province.

-- A Task Force Marne soldier died and another was wounded when an improvised explosive device struck their dismounted patrol southwest of Baghdad.

-- A Multinational Division Baghdad soldier died when his patrol was attacked with small-arms fire in western Baghdad. The servicemembers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of two Marines and 18 Army soldiers killed recently in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Benjamin D. Desilets, 21, of Elmwood, Ill.; and Marine Cpl. Julian M. Woodall, 21, of Tallahassee, Fla., died May 22 during combat in Anbar province. They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Moore, 28, of Alpaugh, Calif.;
Sgt. Jean P. Medlin, 27, of Pelham, Ala.;
Spc. David W. Behrle, 20, of Tipton, Iowa;
Spc. Joseph A. Gilmore, 26, of Webster, Fla.;
Pfc. Travis F. Haslip, 20, of Ooltewah, Tenn.; and
Pfc. Alexander R. Varela, 19, of Fernley, Nev., died May 19 when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Army Sgt. Justin D. Wisniewski, 22, of Standish, Mich., died May 19 in when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit in Lutfiyah. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. -

Army Sgt. Jason A. Schumann, 23, of Hawley, Minn., died May 19 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Diwaniyah. Schumann was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.

Army Cpl. Ryan D. Collins, 20, of Vernon, Texas, died May 19 when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire in Hamiyah. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Scott J. Brown, 33, of Windsor, Colo.; and
Army Spc. Marquis J. McCants, 23, of San Antonio, died May 18 when their unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire in Baghdad. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Sgt. Anselmo Martinez III, 26, of Robstown, Texas;
Spc. Casey W. Nash, 22, of Baltimore; and
Spc. Joshua G. Romero, 19, of Crowley, Texas, died May 18 when an improvised explosive device struck their unit in Tahrir. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.