American Deaths in Afghanistan War Rival Iraq

A female soldier who died in Iraq had ties to McMinnville, Oregon, according to KGW TV.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The U.S. death toll from the war in Afghanistan is generally far lower than the reported losses in Iraq. But July 5th and 6th 2007 are days that tell a different story.

On July 5th, two soldiers were killed in the Watapor Valley of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Spc. Christopher S. Honaker, 23, of Cleveland, North Carolina, and Pfc. Joseph A. Miracle of Ortonville, Michigan, 22, died of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire and indirect fire.

They were both assigned to 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173d Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

Then on July 6th, Sgt. Thomas P. McGee, 23, of Hawthorne, Calif., died of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Wazi Khwa, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 546th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

In Iraq, three Navy SEALS, two civil affairs soldiers, and a female soldiers were reported as casualties.

Two soldiers who died July 5th., Maj. James M. Ahearn, 43, of California and Sgt. Keith A. Kline, 24, of Oak Harbor, Ohio were both killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

They were assigned to 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Also in Iraq, Spc. Michelle R. Ring, 24, of Martin, Tennessee, died July 5th of wounds sustained from enemy mortar fire in Baghdad.

The Department of Defense also announced the death of three sailors in Iraq. The three Navy SEAL's died July 6th as a result of enemy action. Petty Officer First Class Jason Dale Lewis, 30, of Brookfield, Connecticut, Petty Officer First Class Robert Richard McRill, 42, of Lake Placid, Florida and Petty Officer First Class Steven Phillip Daugherty, 28, of Barstow, California, died while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Baghdad.

Americans have been serving in Afghanistan since 2001. They are based throughout the country which has extreme differences in terrain and temperature. The present day Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was established after U.S. and Coalition efforts drove Taliban forces out of control.

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Waqas July 31, 2007 4:57 am (Pacific time)

All of you are thinking about your ArmyMen......But what about Afghani and Iraqi Muslims.......are they not the humans like us?

S.LaMarche; July 9, 2007 9:51 pm (Pacific time)

I meant no disrespect to those in the battle. I exclusively bashed and will continue to bash our little dictator who's in need of mental counseling and ought to leave the white house., he's lied, stolen and abused his position for his own gain and those of the elite who pull the strings. Thanks Tim for the article and at the end of the day it's the flags at half mast that move me to say anything at all. THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN! Semper Fi!

Tim King July 9, 2007 2:22 pm (Pacific time)

Hey Chelsea, this is the reporter who wrote this story. I spent two months in Afghanistan over the winter and there is little you can say about it as one more civilian who has little to no actual idea what is going on. Everything I write is from experience, from Afghanistan, so please try to read the story and take the emotions out of it. If people reacted more out of their gut, knowing right from wrong, then none of these problems would exist. I have had several soldiers tell me that I am one of TWO reporters in Afghanistan who has taken the time to do stories right. The person you are asking to not make comments about the "war on terror" nearly lost his life in Vietnam when he was shot by the NVA. It is ironic that what you ask for, is the thing that YOU need to provide the rest of us, study the facts please. Go talk to that guy in the oval office if you have a beef, he did all of this.

ChelseyS. July 9, 2007 2:16 pm (Pacific time)

If ya'll wish to bad mouth this war on terror do it at the bottom of a different story. It is a tradgedy that our men and women, boys and girls are dieing everyday but they are there and deserve our support. Obviously you do not know anyone who has graciously served in Afghanistan or you would know all the good that has come out of our being there. The Afghanistan people were dieing long before we went over there. Dieing at the hands of taliban members. Dieing from not having medical resources, food, and housing. The women had no rights just like us some years ago. They are now free to study, vote, work all because of our soldiers. Everyone currently serving in the military knew exactly what they were signing up for before making the commitment to fight this war on terror. If you were to speak to the military service members serving in Afghanistan you would know that the majority of them strongly believe in this fight. They mourn and honor their brothers and sisters that have lost their lives. Everday they push on to better the lives of the locals and finish the job. What we as an American people need to do is show more support to our troops and bitch a little less. The great thing about our country is you can write your congressmen and gripe but you can also sit down to write a letter to a soldier to brighten their day. Take a second to thank a veteran and fly a flag high. This is what would really help make our country better. So I am going to take this moment thank you to all the men and women past and present serving in the United States Military. You are forever in my hearts and prayers.

Julie July 9, 2007 10:53 am (Pacific time)

We all feel terrible about the loss of these lives, and for all of the others. That's not to lessen this tragedy, it's just horrifying that this continues, and all we can do is fly our flag at half mast....constantly. Bush must stop. There is an answer. He just has to CARE about more than his retirement fund and the one he's mounting up for his silver-spooned children.

Sue July 9, 2007 9:24 am (Pacific time)

I agree with S LaMarche as well. I request that everyone with a "support the troops" bumper sticker, make a phone call to congress, write to their local paper and get out and protest this war. We also need to support funding for these brave men and women when they return. We are not taking care of them.

Vic July 8, 2007 10:29 pm (Pacific time)

S. LaMarche ...I couldnt have said it better.

S.LaMarche; July 8, 2007 6:51 pm (Pacific time)

Bring em' home alive! It's time to get out, the president and staff are liars and thieves getting rich with outside contracts while Afghanies and Americans die. The direction is unknown, the oil pipelines are the main reason to prop up the Karzai regime wich is totally innefectual outside his compound in Kabul. We have not "lost" this war on terror, the U.S. government has caused moer terrorists than those it claims to have defeated. The concept of "pre-emptive strike" is counter to America and the rules of engagement, leading to tens of thousands of civilian deaths and injuries from Iraq to Afghanistan and beyond. The situation at Gitmo has injured U.S. prestige for tne next hundred years unless they come up with some more lies or distractions. They made a greivous mistake in proceeding with these wars and congress has two faced their way into power and betrayed the voters by continuing to fund the wars at the expense of America. They are not even connected beyond their own employment requirements to bend at the presidents bidding, accomoddating "executive privelage" while Gonzales remains and Libby goes free, Cheney and Rove go unpunished and Armitage is still the hatchet man with the power of non-accountability. These are elite, the privelaged who send our kids and family off to wars they made and are cowards to change their self inflicted tragedy. Democracy is nothing to them, Nothing. It's pure power and control of someone elses resources. What about New Orleans?

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