Six Soldiers Killed, Six Wounded in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2007 – Five soldiers were killed and four others were wounded yesterday in several attacks throughout Iraq, one soldier was killed May 22, and the Defense Department has released the identities of several servicemembers who died in Iraq recently.

-- Two Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers were killed when their patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device in a western section of the Iraqi capital yesterday. An Iraqi interpreter was also killed in the attack, and one other soldier was wounded.

-- A Task Force Lightning soldier was killed in Nineveh province yesterday when an explosion occurred near his vehicle. Two other soldiers were wounded in the incident and were taken to a coalition forces medical treatment facility for further treatment.

-- A Task Force Lightning soldier died of wounds suffered from small-arms fire in Diyala province yesterday.

-- One 13th Sustainment Command soldier was killed and one was wounded in an improvised-explosive-device attack against their tactical vehicle near Salah Ad Din yesterday. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to a coalition theater hospital in Balad.

-- A Task Force Lightning soldier was killed in Baghdad province May 22 when an explosion occurred near his vehicle. Two other soldiers were wounded in the incident and were taken to a coalition forces medical treatment facility. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of seven soldiers who were killed recently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

-- Spc. Benjamin J. Ashley, 22, of Independence, Mo., died May 24 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Ashley was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

-- Staff Sgt. David C. Kuehl, 27, of Wahpeton, N.D., died May 22 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.

-- Staff Sgt. Kristopher A. Higdon, 25, of Odessa, Texas, and Pfc. Robert A. Worthington, 19, of Jackson, Ga., died May 22 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit. They were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.

-- Staff Sgt. Shannon V. Weaver, 28, Urich, Mo.;
- - Sgt. Brian D. Ardron, 32, of Acworth, Ga.; and
- - Spc. Michael W. Davis, 22, of San Marcos, Texas, died May 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when multiple improvised explosive devices detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

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