Service Members Killed in Afghanistan, Iraq

CENTCOM, DoD ^ | May 29, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Service Members Killed in Afghanistan, Iraq

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2004 – Three Marines were killed today in Iraq's Anbar province, and four U.S. service members were killed today in southern Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command officials announced in news releases.

The Marines, assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, were conducting security and stability operations, but officials provided no further details. CENTCOM reported the service members killed in Afghanistan were members of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan, but the news release did not specify their service affiliations or provide any further information.

CENTCOM also reported today that an 81st Brigade Combat Team soldier was killed May 25 in a mortar attack at a base south of Baghdad. Nine other soldiers were injured in the attack. The command also reported today that a Stryker Brigade soldier in Mosul, Iraq, died May 27, but that the soldier's death was "not due to enemy action."

Names are being withheld until families are notified.

Related Sites:
U.S. Central Command
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
81st Brigade Combat Team
Stryker Brigade

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894   http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/casualties.asp

May 29, 2004
Release Number: 04-05-44C

FOUR SERVICE MEMBERS DIE IN AFGHANISTAN

ZABOL PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN - Four U.S. service members assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan were killed in action today here in southern Afghanistan.

Names will not be released until notification of next of kin is complete.

~*~

 

May 29, 2004
Release Number: 04-05-46C

SOLDIER KILLED BY MORTAR ATTACK

BALAD, Iraq - An 81st Brigade Combat Team Soldier assigned to Task Force 1/185 was killed on May 25 in a mortar attack at a base south of Baghdad.

Nine Soldiers were also injured in the attack.

Eight were taken to the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad for treatment and one was treated at the forward operating base.

The name of the Solider killed is withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

 

~*~

 

May 29, 2004
Release Number: 04-05-45C

STRYKER BRIGADE SOLDIER DIES FROM NON-HOSTILE INCIDENT

MOSUL, Iraq - A Stryker Brigade Soldier, under the operational control of Task Force Olympia in Mosul, died Friday, May 27.

The death was not due to enemy action.

The incident is under investigation.

The name of the Soldier is withheld pending notification of next of kin.

 

~*~

May 29, 2004

Release Number: 04-05-47C

THREE MARINES KILLED IN ACTION

CAMP FALLUJAH -- Three Marines assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force were killed in action May 29, in the Al Anbar Province while conducting security and stability operations.

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

 

~*~

 

 Special Forces

81st Brigade Combat Team

Stryker Brigade Combat Team

I Marine Expeditionary Force

  

~    ~

 

 

TAPS

Day is done,
gone to the  sun

 from the lakes, from the hills,
from the sky.

All  is  well, safely rest.
God is high.

Thanks  and  praise,
 for our days

'neath the sun, 'neath the stars,
'neath the sky,

As we go, this we know,
God is nigh.

~ * ~ 

 

God bless our troops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Coop]

Geez. I was really hoping that initial Afghanistan report was bogus. :-(

Rest in peace, brave warriors, in both fronts of the war on terror.

[kellynla]

Please ping me when the Marines are identified.
Thanks

[Ben Chad]

We gave peace a chance in fallujah. This is the reward.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank God for our heroes and their loved ones!

[condi2008]

Praying for these families and all the Marine loved ones who are waiting to hear the ID's of these brave men.

I wonder if they might be some of the "under the radar" type special ops, or if they are part of the 22d MEU (SOC*).

*Special Operations Capable

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed. I wonder. I join in your prayer.

[condi2008]

To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 

 ~    ~

 

~* Defense Officials Identify Casualties *~

 

 

  WASHINGTON May 31,  2004

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

           * Lance Cpl. Benjamin R. Gonzalez, 23, of Los Angeles, Calif., * died May 29 due to hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.  He was assigned to 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

 

  The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died May 29 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when their vehicle hit a land mine.  Killed were:

             * Capt. Daniel W. Eggers, 28, of Cape Coral, Fla. *  He was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 3^rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), from Fort Bragg, N.C.

             * Staff Sgt. Robert J. Mogensen, 26, of Leesville, La. *  He was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 3^rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

             * Pfc. Joseph A. Jeffries, 21, of Beaverton, Ore. *  He was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 329^th Psychological Operations Company, Portland, Ore.

[kellynla]

Thanks for the update.

God bless and keep them all.

Rest in Peace my brothers.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[TEXOKIE]

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died May 29 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when their vehicle hit a land mine. Killed were:
* Capt. Daniel W. Eggers, 28, of Cape Coral, Fla. * He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), from Fort Bragg, N.C.

* Staff Sgt. Robert J. Mogensen, 26, of Leesville, La. * He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

* Pfc. Joseph A. Jeffries, 21, of Beaverton, Ore. * He was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 329th Psychological Operations Company, Portland, Ore.



One of the young men on the above list served with our own Cheney Chick's unit.

We hallow in our hearts the sacrifice of ALL who have fallen in the effort to protect our nation and other nations from the scourge of terrorism.

The following has been posted on our Troop Prayer Threads:
Post 606 --
http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1101474/posts?page=605


MERCIFUL FATHER IN HEAVEN,

Wrap Cheney Chick's unit serving in Afghanistan with your comforting embrace. They have lost a precious friend and comrade. Father, take this young man into your arms and hold him and take him to a very special place in your heaven. Tell him how grateful his countrymen are for his service and sacrifice. Instruct each of us remaining behind how we may live so that that sacrifice was worth it. Help us to be honorable and mindful of our obligations to take up the torch of defending freedom from those who have fallen in the effort.

We understand that CC's young comrade had a wife and a young baby on the way. We ask for extraordinary intercession in the lives of this young family. Surround them and all his loved ones with special teams of angels so that they may fulfill their period of grief and find themselves able to take up their lives strengthened and blessed with their faith in you intact. Clear the way before the child entering on the earth's stage without its father. If it is according to thy Will, allow this young father the opportunity to be able to communicate with the heart and soul of his child. Grant the young wife assurance that all will be well. We call forth miracles of healing and faith and mercy in her life and all who this young man touched.

We are asking for a special blessing of healing and mercy for Cheney Chick's unit and all who served with this young man. We are informed and can well understand how devastating the loss of this fine young man would be. Father, help them to heal in their hearts and souls. Strip them of all inordinate fear, doubt, self doubt, distraction, depression, anger, and any other emotion which eats away at the soul and morale. Strengthen these young people who bear arms for freedom in their resolve to stand firm and fulfill their duties in the highest honor and standards which they hold for themselves. Indeed, through your intercession, grant them the gift of being able to transcend themselves in their service. Send to each of them directly the love we have in our hearts for them and for what they are doing for us. We ask that they will each be granted miracles of protection from your heart and from the hand and sword of Archangel Michael. Send forth your legions of angels to guide, guard, direct and protect CC's unit and all our troops, allies, and civilian contractors!

We thank you Father, for hearing our prayer. You are our beloved Father and we know how you care for us. You are our magnificent God, and we know how you care for this world and the Vision you have for it. Please, Father, share increments of your Vision with our President, our leaders and our people. Help us to move this nation and civilization in the course you have ordained. Let all opposition to your plan and Vision be shattered and confuted.

Let all which we have called forth for Cheney Chick's fallen comrade, his family, and loved ones be granted for each and every person who is in a similar situation of need. Let only your divine Will take place in our lives, on the battlefield, and in the earth. For we declare and claim in the name of our Lord Christ, "The EARTH is the Lord's and the fullness thereof!" The Enemy and those aligned with Death and Hell ultimately have no Power because our God is a God of Life, Love, and Mercy!

Amen

[Coop]

No, I neglected to flag you. My apologies.

And my sincere condolences to the families of these heroes who paid the ultimate price.

[Coop]

Normally someone in the MEU would be described as part of 22 MEU. Special forces generally mean under Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

[condi2008]

Thanks for the clarification.