Oregon Soldier Missing in Iraq

Oregon soldiers on duty in Iraq Photo Courtesy: Major Arnold Strong

(MADRAS AP) - An Oregon man was identified as one of two servicemen reported missing in Iraq after an insurgent attack on a military checkpoint south of Baghdad.

Army Pfc. Thomas Lowell Tucker, 25, of Madras and Kristian Menchaca, 23 of Houston have been missing since Friday, the Defense Department said late Sunday. Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Mass., was killed in the attack. All three soldiers were assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky.

Witnesses said the missing soldiers were led away by masked gunmen, but those reports have not been confirmed by the military, which has undertaken a massive search.

Tucker's family, who had been camping before getting the news this weekend, said they would not comment until Monday at the earliest, said Kay Fristad, an Oregon National Guard spokeswoman.

Fristad said she had a brief conservation with Tucker's parents and they said he joined the military "to do something positive for the country."

Tucker, who is not married, worked during high school at a Chevron gas station owned by Rick Allen, the former mayor of Madras. Allen said Tucker liked cars and described him as strong, street smart and mechanically inclined.

"He's a tough kid. Hopefully he's got the inner strength to make it through this ordeal."

Allen said he had spent the day in Portland and only learned the news when it appeared on the television. Allen said he couldn't believe it when the news anchor said one of the soldiers was from Madras.

"When it said Thomas Tucker I was like 'Tom Tucker?' " Allen recalled. "It's just bizarre; it takes your breath away. Here's this kid who used to come and pump gas at your place and now he is clear across the world - held. And there's nothing anyone can do, except hope these people have compassion and let him go."

An Iraqi farmer told The Associated Press Sunday he saw seven armed gunmen capture the two soldiers. Another Iraqi said the Americans were offering $100,000 for information leading to the abductors, but the U.S. command denied that.

The two soldiers are officially listed as "duty status and whereabouts unknown." This category changes to "missing in action" if they are not found in 10 days, according to a statement from the Defense Department.

Janet Brown, whose two sons grew up with Tucker in Madras, encouraged residents to put up yellow ribbons and flags as a show of support. Her eldest son, Cody Brown, played baseball with Tucker and also deployed in Iraq.

"It's your worst fear when the military comes to your door," she told The Bulletin newspaper of Bend. "This community supports each other, and so whatever the community can do to help, we will step up to help this family."