More from 8 September 2009


The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an explosive device Sept. 8 in Baji, Iraq. They were assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military Police Battalion, U.S. Army, Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Shannon M. Smith, 31, of Marion, Ohio.

Pfc. Thomas F. Lyons, 20, of Fernley, Nev.

Pfc. Zachary T. Myers, 21, of Delaware, Ohio.