10 U.S. War Casualties Reported Overseas

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Department of Defense has announced a number of recent deaths in Iraq involving our military forces. One Special Forces soldier was also killed in Afghanistan.

Among the nine casualties in Iraq reported here are two field grade officers and a captain. The deaths of these military personnel all occurred between April 3rd and April 7th. Seven soldiers were killed on April 6th, including the three officers.

Sergeant Richard A. Vaughn, 22, of San Diego, California, died April 7th in Baghdad, Iraq from injuries he incurred an an attack by enemy forces using a rocket propelled grenade, improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Staff Sergeant Jeremiah E. McNeal, 23, of Norfolk, Virginia, died April 6th in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds he suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 91st Troop Command, Virginia Army National Guard, West Point, Virginia.

The deaths of two two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom reportedly happened in April 6th in Baghdad. Both died from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with indirect fire. Killed in that attack were two field grade military officers.

Colonel Stephen K. Scott, 54, of New Market, Alabama died in the attack. He was assigned to the 356th Quartermaster Battalion, Laurel, Mississippi.

Major Stuart A. Wolfer, 36, of Coral Springs, Florida was also killed during the attack. He was assigned to the 11th Battalion, 104th Division, Boise, Idaho.

The Defense Department says Staff Sergeant Emanuel Pickett, 34, of Teachey, North Carolina died April 6th in Baghdad, Iraq. He suffered fatal wounds when enemy forces attacked with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1132nd Military Police Company, North Carolina Army National Guard, Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom died April 6th in Balad, Iraq, when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

Killed in that attack were Captain Ulises Burgos-Cruz, 29, of Puerto Rico, who was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Specialist Matthew T. Morris, 23, of Cedar Park, Texas, who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas was also killed in the attack.

Private first class Shane D. Penley, 19, of Sauk Village, Illinois, died April 6th at Patrol Base Copper, Iraq, from wounds suffered while on duty at a guard post. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

They also report that Staff Sergeant Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Delaware, died April 3rd near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

Sergeant Nicholas A. Robertson, 27, of Old Town, Maine, died April 3rd at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered April 2nd while conducting dismounted combat operations in the Zahn Khan District, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

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James April 14, 2008 6:15 pm (Pacific time)

I noticed that we have someone calling Americans racist because they want their immigration laws enforced. Now we have an American(?) calling our military racist's. This is very sad to me, very sad. Fortunately I am quite confident that those people who make these racist accusations come from a very small minority. What other country could you be living in and say things like that? You people should count your blessings, you really should.

Charlie April 10, 2008 8:17 am (Pacific time)

Your reasoning sounds as though you have spent considerable time rationalizing it. You must realize of course that the only people out there that would agree with you on a point by point level would be a very small minority. As far as you knowing other veterans, so? Are you a veteran? My guess is you may have attempted to get in, but it didn't work out. Calling our veterans racist is not a very brilliant thing to do, but these veterans have provided you with an environment so you can be less than brilliant. Many never know what real sacrifice is, and no doubt you are part of that population. By the way the computer you are using was developed by DOD funding so you should thank those racist's with providing you with the means to insult them. My guess is that you would not refuse assistance from these bad military racists if you were in need. In addition you should familiarize yourself with the UN Resolutions dealing with Iraq, then also review the congressional record and the votes of your representatives. How many rape rooms still in Iraq? How many Kurdish children have been gassed lately? Go confront some returning war veterans and tell them how you feel about them? Will you? Of course not!

Vic April 9, 2008 3:42 pm (Pacific time)

I actually spend a good ammount of time helping people right here and also send $ to UNRWA when I can. I never said that non-Americans mean more to me than Americans...that was your interpretation...BUT...we are the ones invading someone elses country, right? We are the ones who are somewhere we do not belong, killing citizens of a sovereign country that never attacked us or even threatened us. I'd say we are the bad guys here. It isnt about bashing the military...it is the mission. Where are the WMDs??? Remember, that is why we are supposed to be there. My country-right or wrong" is a cheap excuse for apathy or indifference....or racism, for that matter. I know several WW2 vets that are great people....a good friend of mine is a Korean War vet and is one of the survivors of the Chosin Reservoir battle. However, I think anyone who would sign up for this war is a damn fool, or a racist at best. Where are the WMDs???? Do we just invade and murder people for sport now? Why are we still in Iraq? And as far as not caring about "my own" ..I do not consider anyone who signs up to kill other people "my own". Not even close. You want a Bible verse? How about "Thou shall not kill" ...seems pretty straightforward and easy to understand to me.

Charlie April 9, 2008 11:55 am (Pacific time)

So Vic, the Peace Corps takes people of all ages why not go and help those non-Americans you are concerned about. As it seems by your comment they mean more to you than our own. As Nike says: Just do it! I have noticed the San Francisco leadership (and many many others) echoes the same feelings you have, I wonder if they would refuse military assistance during a time of need? Would you? How about if that doctor sometime in your future need was a combat veteran(mercenary?), would you refuse his/her help? Does the Bible provide a moral/value guideline for that situation?

Vic April 9, 2008 7:40 am (Pacific time)

And in that same period of time, appx 400 Iraqis, men, women and children from five months old on up were killed....but who cares? No sympathy for the American mercenaries here. As the Bible says, "They who take up the sword ,(invade, bomb, rape, torture and plunder) shall die by the sword."

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