Casualty Numbers in Iraq War Escalate

Combat and accidents continue to claims lives in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Salem-News.com

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Casualties are up in Iraq in recent days and weeks. As the word is released that the U.S. will stay in Iraq for the next three years, the Department of Defense released information regarding a number of casualties in Iraq, and the death of one soldier in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Eight deaths have been reported since November 5th. Casualties in this group are both combat-related, non-combat related, and from vehicle accidents.

Specialist Jonnie L. Stiles, 38, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, died November 13th in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

He was assigned to the 927th Engineer Company (SAPPER), 769th Engineer Battalion, Louisiana Army National Guard, Baton Rouge, Lousiana.

Iraq Casualties

Specialist James M. Clay, 25, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, died November 13th in Anbar Province, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard, Little Rock, Arkansas.

The DoD says circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died November 12th in Mosul, Iraq, when an Iraqi Army soldier wearing a uniform approached them and opened fire.

Sergeant Jose Regalado, 23, of Los Angeles died in the attack. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

The incident also claimed the life of Specalist Corey M. Shea, 21, of Mansfield, Massachusetts. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

Specialist Armando A. De La Paz, 21, of Riverside, California, died November 13th in Baghdad, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

Staff Sergeant Timothy H. Walker, 38, of Franklin, Tennessee, died November 8th in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Private first class Theron V. Hobbs, 22, of Albany, Gaeorgia, died November 6th in a motor vehicle accident in Kirkuk, Iraq. He was assigned to the 572nd Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Specialist Adam M. Wenger, 27, of Waterford, Mich., died November 5th in Tunnis, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a non-combat incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.