In Memoriam

[Grace]

3 September 2009

From the United Kingdom

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that a soldier from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment was killed in Afghanistan today, Thursday 3 September 2009.

The soldier, operating with The Light Dragoons Battle Group, died as a result of a gunshot wound he sustained whilst on a foot patrol in the Babaji district, central Helmand province.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said:

"This brave soldier died bringing a better life to the people of Afghanistan. We mourn his loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time. His loss has not been in vain."

Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

[Grace]

Updating previous post (#126) about UK soldier killed.

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Private Gavin Elliott, age 19, of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment was killed in Afghanistan on Thursday 3 September 2009.

Private Elliott was operating with The Light Dragoons Battle Group when he died as a result of a gunshot wound sustained whilst on a foot patrol in Babaji district, central Helmand province.

[Grace]

3 September 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Sept. 3 in Baqubah, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. The soldiers were assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Todd W. Selge, 25, of Burnsville, Minn.; and

Spc. Jordan M. Shay, 22, of Salisbury, Mass.

The incident is under investigation.

[Grace]

3 September 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Benjamin P. Castiglione, 21, of Howell, Mich., died Sept. 3 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Battalion.

[Grace]

3 September 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Baltazar Jr., 19, of San Antonio, Texas, died Sept. 3 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

[Grace]

4 September 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

2nd Lt. Darryn D. Andrews, 34, of Dallas, Texas, died Sept. 4 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device and a rocket-propelled grenade. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

[Grace]

6 September 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Randy M. Haney, 27, of Orlando, Fla., died Sept. 6 in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires. He was assigned to the 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.