Posted on 04/28/2003 1:49:11 PM PDT by AgentEcho
LOS FRESNOS, Texas - Army Sgt. Edward John Anguiano, the last U.S. soldier missing in Iraq, was found dead, family members and the Pentagon said Monday.
Anguiano, 24, disappeared after his convoy was attacked March 23 near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq. Anguiano's grandfather and an aunt said military officials notified the family late Sunday.
"What we heard is that he was ambushed," said Vicente Anguiano Sr., 72. "They found his truck, the one he drove, and it had been stripped — tires and everything. They found a body near the truck."
Officials used DNA tests to confirm the remains were Anguiano, the grandfather said. He did not know when the body was found but believed Edward Anguiano was killed during the initial ambush.
Anguiano's family members gathered in this south Texas town over the Easter weekend and held out hope he would return soon. The soldier's mother "is very sad. She was not expecting him to be found dead," said the soldier's aunt, Maria Anguiano.
Anguiano was in the 3rd Infantry Combat Support Battalion out of Fort Stewart, Ga. He was traveling with the 507th Maintenance Company, a unit from Fort Bliss in El Paso, when it was attacked. Nine soldiers were killed and six, all with the 507th, were taken prisoner.
One prisoner, Pfc. Jessica Lynch, was rescued April 1. Five other soldiers were released April 13 and returned to the United States on April 19.
Seven of the dead soldiers found during Lynch's rescue were members of the 507th. An eighth was a soldier from a forward support group of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division.
May God comfort their grieving families.
We had the opportunity this weekend to welcome home one of our brave marines who was wounded in an ambush by jihad loyalists south of Baghdad. Despite numerous bullet and shrapnel wounds, he was walking and doing well and blessed to have a wonderful and loving family.
Prayers for the soul of Sgt. Edward John Anguiano,.. may he rest in eternal peace. Prayers of comfort for his family and friends left behind.
Sgt Anguiano has been in our prayers constantly. We had hoped for good news, and that he would be found alive. Now we will pray for his soul and for his family and friends who are heartbroken, as are we.
We will never take his sacrifice or those of his fallen brothers and sisters for granted. NEVER!!
I am a small and precious child, my parent has been sent to fight...The only place I'll see their face, is in my dreams at night. They'll be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track. I may be sad, but I am proud.
My parent's got your back.
We are caring Moms and Dads. Our child has gone to war... Our mind is filled with worries that we've never known before. Every day we try to keep our thoughts from turning black. We may be scared, but we are proud.
Our child has got your back.
I am a strong and loving spouse, with a spouse who had to go. There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know. I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my loved one pack... My heart may break, but I am proud.
My loved one's got your back...
I am a Military Person... Serving Proudly, standing tall. I fight for freedom, yours and mine by answering this call. I do my job while knowing the thanks it sometimes lacks. Say a prayer that I'll come home.
It's me who's got your back.
IN Loving Memory of Sgt. Edward John Anguiano, who gave his all.
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