The Harring Report: America’s Young Man’s Meat Grinder

by Brian Harring, Domestic Intelligence Reporter   brianharring@yahoo.com

Note:  Viewers of TBR News who would like a copy of the original Department of Defense Supplemental Casualty lists from 2003 to mid-2005, showing facsimiles of the actual casualties, as opposed to the heavily redacted official listings, may write to Mr. Harring at brianharring@yahoo.com for a full copy of the original documents. This list is free of charge. As of April 18, 2007, Mr. Harring has sent out 25, 101 lists

Once it became evident that what had been expected to be a short, successful military campaign against Saddam Hussein had turned into a long drawn out and escalating guerilla war, the Department of Defense, acting on orders from the White House, began to reduce the daily public casualty list. Families and survivors of the dead were duly notified and the bodies were shipped back to the States for private burial but the numbers of the dead, and the wounded, were deliberately kept as low as possible for political reasons.  For internal use only, a realistic, and accurate, monthly report was issued for those concerned but it was not made public. When this private report was located by outside sources and sent around the Internet, the site was immediately shut down.

This original listing showed that as of mid-2005, the death count in both Iraq and Afghanistan topped 10,000 with 20,000 seriously wounded.  By 2007, the death toll has risen to over 15,000 (and rising daily) with officially reported serious woundings (required out of theater hospitalization) at 50,508 as per a report published in the New York Times of January 30, 2007.

Also not discussed are the over 10,000 desertions (from March, 2003 to date)

The Bush-Cheney Butchers’ Bill

Officially 108 military deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq from 1 April to 30 April, 2007, with a total of 4,264 total official casualties to date.

Official Casualty Lists for April, 2007

2

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldiers died from wounds suffered Mar. 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Jason R. Arnette, 24, of Amelia, Va. He died April 1 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Spc. Wilfred Flores Jr., 20, of Lawton, Okla. He died Mar. 31 in Baghdad, Iraq.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died March 29 in North Kabul, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered during a non-combat related vehicle accident on March 28 in North Kabul. Their deaths are under investigation.

Killed were:

Sgt. Edmund W. McDonald, 25, of Casco, Maine.

Spc. Agustin Gutierrez, 19, of San Jacinto, Calif. Both soldiers were assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Christopher M. Wilson, 24, of Bangor, Maine, died Mar. 29 in Korengal Outpost, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from a rocket propelled grenade explosion. Wilson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

3

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Joe Polo, 24, of Opalocka, Fla., died Mar. 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Polo was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Neale M. Shank, 25, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died Mar. 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation.  Shank was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom Pfc. Miguel A. Marcial III, 19, of Secaucus, N.J., died April 1 in Al Anbar province, Iraq. His death is currently under investigation. Marcial was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Olsen, 20, of Eagan, Minn., died April 2 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Olsen was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. They were assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. David A. Mejias, 26, of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Staff Sgt. Eric R. Vick, 25, of Spring Hope, N.C.

Sgt. Robert M. McDowell, 30, of Deer Park, Texas.

Spc. William G. Bowling, 24, of Beattyville, Ky.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Bradley D. King, 28, of Marion, Ind., died April 2 in Al Amiriyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. King was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 152nd Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Brigade, Marion, Ind.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Brian E. Ritzberg, 24, of Long Island, New York, died April 2 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations in Kirkuk, Iraq. Ritzberg was assigned to the 977th Military Police Company, 97th Military Police Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas

4

The Department of Defense announced February 5th the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 2 in Ramadi, Iraq, of injuries sustained when they came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. [SIC] On April 4, 2007 the Army announced an ongoing unit-level investigation into the circumstances of the soldiers' deaths and that friendly fire is suspected.  Spc. Alan E. McPeek, 20, of Tucson, Ariz. McPeek was assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany,  Pvt. Matthew T. Zeimer, 18, of Glendive, Mont. McPeek was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.   Spc. Curtis R. Spivey, 25, of Chula Vista, Calif., died April 2 in San Diego of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations on Sep. 16, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq. Spivey was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Pfc. Gabriel J. Figueroa, 20, of Baldwin Park, Calif., died April 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. Figueroa was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Staff Sgt. Shane R. Becker, 35, of Helena, Mont., died April 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. Becker was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

6

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. James J. Coon, 22, of Walnut Creek, Calif., died April 4 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when in improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Coon was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc Jason A. Shaffer, 28, of Derry, Pa., died April 5 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when a vehicle-born improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Shaffer was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

7

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph C.Schwedler, 27,of Crystal Falls, Mich., died April 6 from enemy action while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq.   Schwedler was assigned to East Coast Navy SEAL Team.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Daniel A. Fuentes, 19, of Levittown, N.Y., died April 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when in improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

8

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Sgt. Forrest D. Cauthorn, 22, of Midlothian, Va., died April 5 in Hawijah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came into contact with enemy forces using small arms and grenades during combat operations. His death is under investigation. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Pfc. Jay S. Cajimat, 20, of Lahaina, Hawaii, died April 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

9

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died from wounds suffered Apr. 4 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Jerry C. Burge, 39, of Carriere, Miss.

Cpl. Joseph H. Cantrell IV, 23, of Ashland, Ky. Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th       Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.1st Lt. Phillip I. Neel, 27, of Maryland, died April 8 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using grenades. His death is under investigation.  Neel was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Conor G. Masterson, 21, of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., died April 7 in Eastern Afghanistan of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Masterson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three sailors who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 6 from enemy action while conducting combat operations near Kirkuk, Iraq.

Killed were:

Chief Petty Officer Gregory J. Billiter, 36, of Villa Hills, Ky.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis R. Hall, 24, of Burley, Idaho.

Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph A. McSween, 26, of Valdosta, Ga. All three sailors were assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Eleven, Whidbey Island, Wash.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

Killed were:

Capt. Anthony Palermo, 26, of Brockton, Mass.

Spc. Ryan S. Dallam, 24, of Norman, Okla.

Pvt. Damian Lopez Rodriguez, Tucson, Ariz.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Adam P. Kennedy, 25, of Norfolk, Mass., died April 8 in Diwaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered with his unit came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire. Kennedy was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Sgt. Todd A. Singleton, 24, of Muskegon, Mich., died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

10

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Cmdr. Philip A. Murphy-Sweet, 42, of Caldwell, Idaho, died April 7, as a result of enemy action in the vicinity of Baghdad. He was operationally assigned to Joint Contracting Command, Multi-National Force – Iraq and was deployed from his permanently assigned command of Naval Inventory Control Point, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when their unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown, 31, of Prichard, Ala.

Pfc. David N. Simmons, 20, of Kokomo, Ind.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 7 in Zaganiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit. They were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Killed were:

Capt. Jonathan D. Grassbaugh, 25, of East Hampstead, N.H.

Spc. Ebe F. Emolo, 33, of Greensboro, N.C.

Spc. Levi K. Hoover, 23, of Midland, Mich.

Pfc. Rodney L. McCandless, 21, of Camden, Ark.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Williams, 25, of Santa Rosa, Calif., died April 8 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Baqubah, Iraq. Williams was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Clifford A. Spohn III, 21, of Albuquerque, N.M., died Apr. 9 in Karmah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his location with indirect fire. Spohn was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

12

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Kyle G. Bohrnsen, 22, of Philipsburg, Mont., died April 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

13

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Raymond S. Sevaaetasi, 29, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, died April 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died Apr. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.  They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Killed were:

Spc. Ismael G. Solorio, 21, of San Luis, Ariz.

Pfc. Brian L. Holden, 20, of Claremont, N.C.

Pvt. Brett A. Walton, 37, of Hillsboro, Ore.

14

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.1ST Lt. Gwilym J. Newman, 24, of Waldorf, Md., died April 12 in Tarmiyah, Iraq, of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire while on dismounted patrol.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Edelman L. Hernandez, 23, of Hyattsville, Md., died April 11 in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, while on combat patrol.  The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. James T. Lindsey, 20, of Florence, Ala., died April 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.   He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died April 12 in Miri, Afghanistan, when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device during combat operations.  They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Casey D. Combs, 28, of Auburn, Wash.

Sgt. David A. Stephens, 28, of Tullahoma, Tenn.

16

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Santee, 21, of Mission Viejo, Calif., died April 14 from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq.  Santee was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Larry R. Bowman, 29, of Granite Falls, N.C., died April 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.  Bowman was assigned to the 513th Transportation Company, 57th Transportation Battalion, 593rd Corps Support Group, Fort Lewis, Wash.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Both died Apr. 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, when their patrol encountered an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Killed were:

Cpl. Cody A. Putnam, 22, of Lafayette, Ind.

Pfc. John G. Borbonus, 19, of Boise, Idaho.

17

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Shaun M. Blue, 25, of Munster, Ind., died April 16 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Scherry, 20, of Rocky River, Ohio, died April 16 from a non-hostile accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Scherry was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Lance Cpl. Jesse D. Delatorre, 29, of Aurora, Ill., died April 16 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Delatorre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Pfc. Lucas V. Starcevich, 25, of Canton, Ill., died April 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when the vehicle he was in struck an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died Apr. 14 in Fallujah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.  They were assigned to the 1451st Transportation Company, 13th Support Command, Iraq.

Killed were:

Sgt. Joshua A. Schmit, 26, of Willmar, Minn.

Sgt. Brandon L. Wallace, 27, of St. Louis, Mo.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Pfc. Aaron M. Genevie, 22, of Chambersburg, Pa., died April 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Steven J. Walberg, 18, of Paradise, Calif., died April 15 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Mario K. De Leon, 26, of San Francisco, Calif., died April 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

18

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Staff Sgt. Robert J. Basham, 22, of Kenosha, Wis., died Apr. 14 at Camp As Sayliyah in Doha, Qatar, as a result of injuries from a non-combat incident. His death is under investigation.  Basham was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion, 126th Field Artillery Regiment, Kenosha, Wis.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Pfc. Richard P. Langenbrunner, 19, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died Apr. 17 in Rustamiyah, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation.  Langenbrunner was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

20

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Jason M. Morales, 20, of La Puente, Calif., died April 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and Fort Riley, Kan.

23

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Lance Cpl. Jeffery A. Bishop, 23, of Dickson, Tenn., died April 20 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Bishop was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chief Warrant Officer Dwayne L. Moore, 31, of Williamsburg, Va., died Apr. 19 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire. Moore was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 18 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Killed were:

Cpl. Wade J. Oglesby, 27, of Grand Junction, Colo.

Cpl. Michael M. Rojas, 21, of Fresno, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Pvt. Michael J. Slater, 19, of Scott Depot, W. Va., died Apr. 21 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle rolled over during combat operations. Slater was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Christopher M. North, 21, of Sarasota, Fla., died Apr. 21, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire during combat operations. North was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Sgt. William W. Bushnell, 24, of Jasper, Ark., died Apr. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by a rocket propelled grenade during combat operations. Bushnell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper, 34, of Baltimore, Md.,died Apr. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using a rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire during combat operations. Harper was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

24

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Ray M. Bevel, 22, of Andrews, Texas, died Apr. 21 in Yusifiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations. Bevel was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Pfc. Jeffrey A. Avery, 19, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died April 23 in Muqudadiyah, Iraq, from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during checkpoint operations.  He was assigned to the 571st Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Steven R. Tudor, 36, of Dunmore, Pa., died Apr. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire during combat operations. Tudor was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

25

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Lance Cpl. Dale G. Peterson, 20, of Redmond, Ore., died April 23 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.  Peterson was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

26

The Department of Defense announced today the death of nine soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 23 in As Sadah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their location.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers, 26, of Hastings, Neb.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Locker Jr., 28, of Wakefield, Neb.

Staff Sgt. William C. Moore, 27, of Benson, N.C.

Sgt. Randell T. Marshall, 22, of Fitzgerald, Ga.

Sgt. Brice A. Pearson, 32, of Phoenix, Az.

Sgt. Michael L. Vaughan, 20, of Otis, Ore.

Spc. Jerry R. King, 19, of Browersville, Ga.

Spc. Michael J. Rodriguez, 20, of Sanford, N.C.

Pfc. Garrett C. Knoll, 23, of Bad Axe, Mich.  All were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

(Note: The delay in posting these names was that the force of the blast that killed them was so great that identification could only be confirmed through DNA. Ed.)

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Jeremy E. Maresh, 24, of Jim Thorpe, Pa., died Apr. 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation.  Maresh was assigned to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 213th Air Defense Artillery, Spring City, Pa.

27

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Willie P. Celestine Jr., 21, of Lafayette, La., died April 26 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Adam E. Loggins, 27, of Athens, Ala., died April 26 from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion,6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

28

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Adam E. Loggins, 27, of Athens, Ala., died April 26 from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion,6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

30

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Adam E. Loggins, 27, of Athens, Ala., died April 26 from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion,6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  Staff Sgt. Michael D. Thomas, 34, of Seffner, Fla., died Apr. 27 in Hirat Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. Thomas was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Daniel F. Mehringer, 20, of Morgantown, W.Va., died Apr. 27 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Sgt. Peter Woodall, 25, of Sarasota, Fla.  Woodall died April 27 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Pfc. Nicholas E. Riehl, 21, of Shiocton, Wis., died Apr. 27 in Fallujah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol. He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Christopher Degiovine, 25, of  Lone Tree, Colo. Degiovine died April 26 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  Cpl. Jeremy R. Greene, 24, of Springfield, Ohio, died Apr. 28 at Forward Operating Base Tillman, Afghanistan, due to injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 27 in Fallujah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. They were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Killed were:

Spc. Eddie D. Tamez, 21, of Galveston, Texas.

Pfc. David A. Kirkpatrick, 20, of Upland, Ind.

Like Vietman, generals fall and head for defeat

April 29, 2007

LtCol Paul Yingling

Army Lt. Col. Paul Yingling is deputy commander, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. He has served two tours in Iraq, another in Bosnia and one in Operation Desert Storm. He holds a master's degree in political science from the University of Chicago. Following are excerpts from a piece he wrote for Armed Forces Journal. Full version available at http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2007/05/2635198.

For the second time in a generation, the United States faces the prospect of defeat at the hands of an insurgency. In April 1975, the U.S. fled the republic of Vietnam, abandoning our allies to their fate at the hands of North Vietnamese communists. In 2007, Iraq's grave and deteriorating condition offers diminishing hope for an American victory and portends risk of an even wider and more destructive regional war.

These debacles are not attributable to individual failures but rather to a crisis in an entire institution: America's general officer corps. America's generals have failed to prepare our armed forces for war and advise civilian authorities on the application of force to achieve the aims of policy.

Following World War II, there were ample indicators that America's enemies would turn to insurgency to negate our advantages in firepower and mobility. In 1961, President Kennedy warned of "another type of war, new in its intensity, ancient in its origin - war by guerrillas, subversives, insurgents, assassins, war by ambush instead of by combat, by infiltration instead of aggression, seeking victory by evading and exhausting the enemy instead of engaging him."

Despite the experience of their allies and the urging of their president, America's generals failed to prepare their forces for counterinsurgency. America's generals also remained largely silent while the strategy developed by civilian politicians led to defeat. President Johnson made a concerted effort to conceal the costs and consequences of Vietnam from the public, but such duplicity required the passive consent of America's generals.

Now, America's generals have repeated the mistakes of Vietnam in Iraq.

For reasons that are not yet clear, America's general officer corps underestimated the strength of the enemy, overestimated the capabilities of Iraq's government and security forces and failed to provide Congress with an accurate assessment of security conditions in Iraq. Moreover, America's generals have not explained clearly the larger strategic risks.

From shortage to debacle

The most fundamental military miscalculation in Iraq has been the failure to commit sufficient forces to provide security to Iraq's population.

Given the lack of troop strength, not even the most brilliant general could have devised the ways necessary to stabilize post-Saddam Iraq. However, inept planning for postwar Iraq took the crisis caused by a lack of troops and quickly transformed it into a debacle. The military never explained to the president the magnitude of the challenges inherent in stabilizing postwar Iraq.

After failing to visualize the conditions of combat in Iraq, America's generals failed to adapt to the demands of counterinsurgency, treating efforts to create transition teams to develop local security forces and provincial reconstruction teams to improve essential services as afterthoughts.

The intellectual and moral failures common to America's general officer corps in Vietnam and Iraq constitute a crisis in American generalship. Any explanation that fixes culpability on individuals is insufficient. No one leader, civilian or military, caused failure in Vietnam or Iraq. Different military and civilian leaders in the two conflicts produced similar results. In both conflicts, the general officer corps designed to advise policymakers, prepare forces and conduct operations failed to perform its intended functions.

Neither the executive branch nor the services themselves are likely to remedy the shortcomings in America's general officer corps. Indeed, the tendency of the executive branch to seek out mild-mannered team players to serve as senior generals is part of the problem. The services themselves are equally to blame. In a system in which senior officers select for promotion those like themselves, there are powerful incentives for conformity.

It's not too late

To improve the creative intelligence of our generals, Congress must change the officer promotion system in ways that reward adaptation and intellectual achievement. The Senate would never confirm to the Supreme Court a nominee who had neither been to law school nor written legal opinions. However, it routinely confirms four-star generals who possess neither graduate education in the social sciences or humanities nor the capability to speak a foreign language.

To reward moral courage in our general officers, Congress must ask hard questions about the means and ways for war as part of its oversight responsibility. Congress must ask for a candid assessment of the money and manpower required over the next generation to prevail in the long war and demand that procurement priorities reflect the most likely threats. Current oversight efforts have proved inadequate, allowing the executive branch, the services and lobbyists to present information that is sometimes incomplete, inaccurate or self-serving.

America's generals spent the years following the 1991 Gulf War mastering a system of war without thinking deeply about the ever-changing nature of war. They marched into Iraq having assumed without much reflection that the wars of the future would look much like the wars of the past. Those few who saw clearly our vulnerability to insurgent tactics said and did little to prepare for these dangers.

The hour is late, but not too late to prepare for the challenges of the long war. We still have time to select as our generals those who possess the intelligence to visualize future conflicts and the moral courage to advise civilian policymakers on the preparations needed for our security.