Four Soldiers Killed in Iraq; Officials Identify Previous Casualties

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2007 – Four soldiers were killed in Iraq yesterday, and another soldier died of non-combat related injuries June 13. In addition, the Defense Department released the identities of several servicemembers recently killed in Iraq.

-- One Task Force Lightning soldier was killed by small-arms fire in Diyala province yesterday.

-- Three Task Force Lightning soldiers were killed as a result of injuries suffered in an explosion near their vehicle while conducting operations in Kirkuk province yesterday. Another soldier was wounded and transported to a coalition medical facility for treatment.

-- A Task Force Lightning soldier died June 13 in a non-combat related incident that is under investigation. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Also, the Defense Department released the identities of four servicemen who died in Iraq and one who died in Southwest Asia. Killed were:

-- Army Pvt. William C. Johnson, 22, of Oxford, N.C., died June 12 in Baghdad of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

-- Marine Lance Cpl. Johnny R. Strong, 21, of Waco, Texas, died June 12 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

-- Army Spc. Damon G. Legrand, 27, of Lakeside, Calif., died June 12 in Baqubah, Iraq, when insurgents attacked his unit with anti-tank mines, rocket-propelled grenades, and small-arms fire in Baghdad. He was assigned to 571st Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.

-- Army Pfc. Cameron K. Payne, 22, of Corona, Calif., died June 11 in Balad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley.

-- Air Force Lt. Col. Glade L. Felix, 52, of Lake Park, Ga., died June 11 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. His death is under investigation. Felix was assigned to 622nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

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