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US Military Report

US battle plans begin to unravel
by Michael Schwartz
Asia Times
November 20, 2004

In the New York Times this week the first crack appeared in the armor of the "victory in Fallujah" facade maintained by the major US media since the battle began. Eric Schmitt and Robert Worth discuss a secret Marine Corps report that reveals the major bind the US has gotten itself into by sweeping through Fallujah and attempting to pacify it. This US strategy has created exactly the dilemma that many critics of the war had been predicting: in order to hold Fallujah the United States has to keep large numbers of troops there, and then the Americans will not have sufficient troops to handle the uprising elsewhere in the Sunni areas.

The problem is summarized thusly in the New York Times article: "Senior marine intelligence officers in Iraq are warning that if American troop levels in the Fallujah area are significantly reduced during reconstruction there, as has been planned, insurgents in the region will rebound from their defeat. The rebels could thwart the retraining of Iraqi security forces, intimidate the local population and derail elections set for January, the officers say."

Beneath this general problem lie three key problems that made the attack on Fallujah a desperation measure in the first place, and which is now creating a new and deeper crisis for the US military in its aftermath.

First, and most important, the people of Fallujah hate the Americans and support the guerrillas (even if they may have complaints about much of what they do). This means that as soon as the people return, so will the resistance, hidden from US view because virtually all the guerrillas are residents of Fallujah with supporters in the community. They will not be turned over to the US or to Iraqi police, and they will therefore begin to mount attacks on whoever is left to guard the US-installed local government.

Second, the US cannot depend on Iraqi police or military to fight this next phase of the "battle of Fallujah". Here's how this problem was reported by the Times: "Senior officers have said that they would keep a sizable American military presence in and around Fallujah in the long reconstruction phase that has just begun, until sufficiently trained and equipped Iraqi forces could take the lead in providing security. 'It will take a security presence for a while until a well-trained Iraqi security force can take over the presence in Fallujah and maintain security so that the insurgents don't come back, as they have tried to do in every one of the cities that we have thrown them out of,' General George W Casey Jr, the top American commander in Iraq, said on November 8. American commanders have expressed disappointment in some of the Iraqis they have been training, especially members of the Iraqi police force. Other troops have performed well, the officers have said."

The key thing here is that when the Americans entered the Fallujah battle they believed that the Iraqi forces would be ready to take over immediately after the city was cleared. But the mass defections and unwillingness to fight exhibited by the Iraqis have forced a drastic revision in these estimates, so that now US military leaders are forced to keep a US presence during the "long reconstruction phase" (read - "until the guerrilla attacks stop") while they wait (probably in vain) for a new cycle of training to produce an Iraqi force that is capable of resisting the guerrillas (the first three efforts to produce such a force have already failed - there is no reason to believe that the next will succeed).

The third problem is that the US simply does not have enough troops to hold Fallujah and also do all the other fighting that is now necessary. The Times reporters expressed it thus: "If many American troops and the better-trained specialized Iraqi forces, like the commando and special police units, are committed to Fallujah for a long time, they will not be available to go elsewhere in Iraq , possibly creating critical shortfalls." In other words, when the resistance drives the police and local government out of other cities (as they did recently in Samarra, Tal Afar and Mosul) the US will not have sufficient troops to recapture the cities, and they will have to allow them to remain in rebel hands, just as Fallujah remained in rebel hands for six months.

This is the ultimate denouement of the attack on Fallujah. The US is now faced with the choice of leaving Fallujah and allowing the shura mujahideen government that has ruled it since April to return to power, or allow the resistance to take power in many other cities. Either option will leave the US in a significantly worse position than it was in before the attack. As so many predicted, the attack on Fallujah has strengthened the resistance and weakened the US occupation.

And one final note: the only remedy for the third problem is a vast increase in the number of US troops in Iraq . And that means a draft in the United States .

Michael Schwartz , professor of sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, has written extensively on popular protest and insurgency, and on US business and government dynamics. His work on Iraq has appeared on ZNet and TomDispatch, and in Z Magazine. His books include Radical Politics and Social Structure, The Power Structure of American Business (with Beth Mintz), and Social Policy and the Conservative Agenda (edited, with Clarence Lo). He can be reached at ms42@optonline.net.

Pentagon’s Coming Strikes On Iranian Leadership, Political, Security Targets
Jesualem Post
Nov 22, 2004

LONDON Pentagon officials are discussing military action to neutralize Iran 's nuclear weapons threat, according to a report in London 's Observer.

US administration sources are quoted as saying that air strikes – "either by the US or Israel " – to wipe out Iran 's fledgling nuclear program would be difficult because of a lack of clear intelligence about where key components are located.

Instead, sources quoted by the paper said the Pentagon is considering strikes in support of regime change, including attacks on the leadership, as well as on political and security targets

The new "modeling" at the Pentagon, with its shift in emphasis from suspected nuclear sites to political target lists, is said to be causing deep anxiety among officials in Britain , France , and Germany , who last week appeared to have negotiated a deal with Teheran to cease work that could contribute to a nuclear weapons program. But Washington is said to be skeptical about the deal.

Comment: We have received a great deal of information, which is far too detailed to publish, indicating that the CIA has “great influence” with certain anti-government Iranian groups, to include student organizations, and have been using them to effect a “governmental change” in Iran. It apparently very difficult for these spies to locate any significant numbers of either the centers of Iranian atomic development or probable Iranian air defense sites. Since the advent of Bush’s pit bull, the dense Porter Goss, morale levels inside the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, have fallen to a very low level and many irate and frustrated agents have been sending out all kinds of inside information to any source they feel might make use of it. Regretfully, while much of this is of general interest and can be used by the media, there is some of it that in all probability should not be made public because of the very real danger of injury or death to others.

Notice to Members: Two highly detailed and very informative recent official reports on U.S. intelligence involvement in the Ukraine and the Caucasus can be found on: http://www.freewebs.com/dotox/

The Bush Butcher’s Bill: 119 US Military Deaths in Iraq from 1 November through 24 November, 2004 – Total of 1,274 US Dead

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Jeremy D. Bow, 20, of Lemoore , Calif. Lance Cpl. Michael P. Scarborough, 28, of Washington , Ga. Both Marines died Oct. 30, due enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Travis A. Fox, 25, of Cowpens , S.C. Cpl. Christopher J. Lapka, 22, of Peoria , Ariz. Both Marines died Oct 30, due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Matthew D. Lynch, 25, of Jericho , N.Y. , died Oct. 31 from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lynch was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. John T. Byrd II, 23, of Fairview , W.V. Sgt. Kelley L. Courtney, 28, of Macon , Ga. Pfc. Andrew G. Riedel, 19, of Northglenn , Colo. All three Marines died Oct 30, due enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Byrd and Riedel were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Courtney was assigned to 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III MEF, Okinawa , Japan .

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Segun Frederick Akintade, 34, of Brooklyn , N.Y. , died Oct. 28 in Abd Allah , Iraq , when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Akintade was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York , N.Y. Sgt. Maurice Keith Fortune, 25, of Forestville , Md. , died Oct. 29 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq , when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Fortune was assigned to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, from Camp Hovey , Korea .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. John Lukac, 19, of Las Vegas , Nev. , died Oct. 30, due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. James C. Kearney, III, 22, of Emerson , Iowa , died Nov. 1 in Salerno , Afghanistan , from injuries sustained in Sharan , Afghanistan , when his convoy was attacked by enemy forces using rocket propelled grenades. Kearney was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, Glenwood , Iowa .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Charles J. Webb, 22, of Hamilton , Ohio died Nov. 3 in the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad , Iraq , from wounds sustained earlier that day when an improvised explosive device detonated in Baghdad , Iraq . Webb was assigned to the 82nd Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Bamberg , Germany .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Jeremiah A. Baro, 21, of Fresno , Calif. Lance Cpl. Jared P. Hubbard, 22, of Clovis , Calif. Both Marines died Nov. 4 from injuries received as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Cody L. Wentz, 21, of Williston, N. D., died November 4 in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle while on patrol. Wentz was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 141st Engineer Battalion, Williston , N.D.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pvt. Justin R. Yoemans, 20, of Eufaula , Ala. , died Nov. 6 at the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad , Iraq , from wounds sustained earlier that day in Baghdad , Iraq , when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored HMMWV. Yoemans was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, Fort Hood , Texas .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Carlos M. Camacho-Rivera, 24, of Carolina , Puerto Rico , died Nov. 5 in the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad , Iraq , from wounds sustained earlier that day in Fallujah , Iraq , from a rocket blast. Camacho-Rivera was assigned to the 368th Transportation Company, 11th Transportation Battalion, Fort Story , Va.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Sean M. Langley, 20, of Lexington , Ky. , died Nov. 7 from injuries received as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Langley was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Brian K. Baker, 27, of West Seneca , N.Y. , died November 7 in Baghdad , Iraq , when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his security patrol. Baker was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum , New York .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Quoc Binh Tran, 26, of Mission Viejo , Calif. , died Nov. 7 in Baghdad , Iraq , from wounds sustained that same day when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle while he was conducting convoy operations. Tran was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 181st Support Battalion, San Bernardino , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Nathaniel T. Hammond, 24, of Tulsa , Okla. Lance Cpl. Shane K. O’Donnell, 24, of DeForest, Wisc. Both Marines died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province , Iraq . They were assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Chicago , Ill.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Bryan L. Freeman, 31, of Lumberton , N.J. , died November 8 in Baghdad , Iraq , from wounds sustained earlier that day when he came under small arms fire while conducting a vehicle search. Freeman was assigned to the 443rd Civil Affairs, Battalion , U.S. Army Reserve, Warwick , R.I.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Lam, 22, of Queens , N.Y. , died Nov. 8 as a result of a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 6th Communications Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Brooklyn , N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died November 8 in Baghdad , Iraq when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their convoy. Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas National Guard, Horton, Kan. Killed were: Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Wisdom, 39, of Atchison, Kan. Spc. Don A. Clary, 21, of Troy, Kan.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Branden P. Ramey, 22, of Boone , Ill. , died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province , Iraq . He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Chicago , Ill. Staff Sgt. David G. Ries, 29, of Clark , Wash. , died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Portland , Ore.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Master Sgt. Steven E. Auchman, 37, of Waterloo , N.Y. , died Nov. 9 from injuries received when multiple rocket propelled grenades struck his location in Mosul , Iraq . He was assigned to the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Lewis , Wash.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Zapp, 20, of Houston , Texas , died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Robert P. Warns II, 23, of Waukesha , Wis. , died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province , Iraq . He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Chicago , Ill.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Command Sgt. Maj. Steven W. Faulkenburg, 45, of Huntingburg , Ind. , died Nov. 9 in Fallujah , Iraq , when he came under small arms fire while conducting combat operations. Faulkenburg was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, Vilseck , Germany .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Lonny D. Wells, 29, of Vandergrift , Pa. , died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th 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. Juan E. Segura, 26, of Homestead , Fla. , died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Todd R. Cornell, 38, of West Bend , Wis. , died November 9 in Fallujah , Iraq , when acting in an advisory support capacity and his Iraqi unit came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Cornell was assigned to the Army Reserve's 1st Battalion, 339th Infantry Regiment, Fraser , Mich.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. William C. James, 24, of Huntington Beach, Calif. Lance Cpl. Nicholas D. Larson, 19, of Wheaton, Ill. Lance Cpl. Nathan R. Wood, 19, of Kirkland, Wash. All three Marines died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. John B. Trotter, 25, of Marble Falls , Texas , died November 9 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq , when he was on patrol and his unit came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Trotter was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze , Korea .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Travis A. Babbitt, 24, of Uvalde , Texas , died November 9 in Baghdad , Iraq , when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. Babbitt was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood , Texas .

The Department of Defense announced today the death a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Russell L. Slay, 28, of Humble, Texas , died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action 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. Erick J. Hodges, 21, of Bay Point , Calif. , died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif

The Department of Defense announced today the death two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. David M. Caruso, 25, of Naperville , Ill. , died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune , N.C. 1st Lt. Dan T. Malcom Jr., 25, of Brinson , Ga. , died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune , N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Aaron C. Pickering, 20, of Marion , Ill. , died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Staff Sgt. Gene Ramirez, 28, of San Antonio , Texas , died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Lance Cpl. Justin D. Reppuhn, 20, of Hemlock, Mich., died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Abraham Simpson, 19, Chino , Calif. , died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Dennis J. Miller, Jr., 21, of La Salle , Mich. , died Nov. 10 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq , when his unit came under enemy attack and a rocket-propelled grenade struck his M1A1 Abrams tank. Miller was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey , Korea .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Peter J. Giannopoulos, 22, of Inverness , Ill. , died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province , Iraq . He was assigned to Marine Corps Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Chicago , Ill. Cpl. Romulo J. Jimenez II, 21, of Miami , Fla. , died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th 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. Spc. Thomas K. Doerflinger, 20, of Silver Spring , Md. , died Nov. 11 in Mosul , Iraq , when his unit received small arms fire while conducting combat operations. Doerflinger was assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th 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. Staff Sgt. Michael C. Ottolini, 45, of Sebastopol , Calif. , died Nov. 10 in Balad , Iraq , when an improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored HMMWV. Ottolini was assigned to the Army National Guard's 579th Engineer Battalion, Petaluma , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Joshua D. Palmer, 24, of Blandinsville , Ill. , died Nov. 8 as a result of a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, headquartered in Portland , Ore.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Sean P. Huey, 28, of Fredericktown , Pa. , died Nov. 11 in Habbaniyah , Iraq , when his unit was on patrol and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Huey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves , Korea .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Theodore A. Bowling, 25, of Casselberry , Fla. , died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer Third Class Julian Woods, 22, of Jacksonville , Fla. , died Nov. 10 as a result of hostile fire in Fallujah , Iraq . He was assigned to 3rd Marine Division Detachment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaheohe Bay , Hawaii .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Theodore S. Holder II, 27, of Littleton , Colo. , died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division, I Marin 13

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 2nd Lt. James P. Blecksmith, 24, of San Marino , Calif. Lance Cpl. Kyle W. Burns, 20, of Laramie , Wyo. Both Marines died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Blecksmith was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif. Burns was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Jarrod L. Maher, 21, of Imogene , Iowa , died Nov. 12 as result of a non-hostile gunshot wound at Abu Ghraib , Iraq . Maher was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif. Maher’s death is under investigation. Sgt. Morgan W. Strader, 23, of Croosville , Ind. , died Nov 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar province, Iraq . Strader was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Nathan R. Anderson, 22, of Howard , Ohio , died Nov. 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Anderson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune , N.C. Cpl. Brian P. Prening, 24, of Sheboygan , Wis. , died Nov 12 as result of enemy action in Babil Province , Iraq . Prening was assigned to Marine Corps Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Chicago , Ill.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Todd R. Cornell, 38, of West Bend , Wis. , died Nov. 9 in Fallujah , Iraq , when his unit was conducting house-to-house combat operations and they were attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades. Cornell was assigned to the Army Reserve's 1st Battalion, 339th Regiment, 7th Brigade, 84th Division, Fraser , Mich. Maj. Horst G. Moore, 38, of San Antonio , Texas , died Nov. 9 in Mosul , Iraq , when enemy mortar rounds detonated within his unit living area. Moore was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker BrigadeCombat Team), Fort Lewis , Wash. 1st Lt. Edward D. Iwan, 28, of Albion , Neb. , died Nov. 12 in Fallujah , Iraq , when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Iwan was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Vilseck , Germany . Sgt. Jonathan B. Shields, 25, of Atlanta , Ga. , died Nov.12 in Fallujah , Iraq , when he was accidentally struck by a tank. Shields was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Armor), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood , Texas . Spc. Raymond L. White, 22, of Elwood , Ind. , died Nov. 12 in Baghdad , Iraq , when his patrol encountered enemy forces using small arms fire. White was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Armor), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood , Texas .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. David M. Branning, 21, of Cockesville, Md. Lance Cpl. Brian A. Medina, 20, of Woodbridge , Va. Both Marines died Nov. 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They both were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Wesley J. Canning, 21, of Friendswood , Texas , died Nov. 10 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Canning 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. Nicholas H. Anderson, 19, of Las Vegas , Nev. , died Nov. 12 in a vehicle incident while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Anderson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. James C. Matteson, 23, of Celoron , N.Y. , died Nov. 12 in Fallujah , Iraq , when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Matteson was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Vilseck , Germany .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Kevin J. Dempsey, 23, of Monroe , Conn. , died Nov. 13 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Dempsey was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 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. Justin M. Ellsworth, 20, of Mount Pleasant , Mich. , died Nov. 13 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Ellsworth was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Byron W. Norwood, 25, of Pflugerville , Texas , died Nov. 13 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar province, Iraq . Norwood was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Jose A. Velez, 23, of Lubbock , Texas , died Nov. 13 in Fallujah , Iraq , while clearing an enemy strongpoint when his unit came under fire. Velez was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood , Texas .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Benjamin S. Bryan, 23, of Lumberton , N.C. Lance Cpl. Victor R. Lu, 22, of Los Angeles , Calif. Lance Cpl. Justin D. McLeese, 19, of Covington , La. All three Marines died Nov. 13 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Bryan and McLeese were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Lu was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Capt. Sean P. Sims, 32, of El Paso , Texas , died Nov. 13 in Fallujah , Iraq , when his unit received small arms fire while clearing a building. Sims was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Vilseck , Germany .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Nicholas L. Ziolkowski, 22, of Towson , Md. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Dale A. Burger Jr., 21, of Port Deposit, Md. Cpl. Andres H. Perez, 21, of Santa Cruz, Calif. Both Marines died Nov. 14 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They both were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Shane E. Kielion, 23, of La Vista, Neb., died Nov. 15 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of six Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Jeramy A. Ailes, 22, of Gilroy , Calif. Lance Cpl. Travis R. Desiato, 19, of Bedford , Mass. Lance Cpl. George J. Payton, 20, of Culver City , Calif. Sgt. Rafael Peralta, 25, of San Diego , Calif. Cpl. Marc T. Ryan, 25, of Gloucester , N.J. Lance Cpl. James E. Swain, 20, of Kokomo , Ind. Payton died Nov. 14. The other five Marines died Nov. 15. All died as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Payton was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Swain was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Ailes was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Ryan was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Desiato was assigned 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Peralta was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Capt. Patrick Marc M. Rapicault, 34, of St. Augustine , Fla. Lance Cpl. Antoine D. Smith, 22, of Orlando , Fla. Both Marines died Nov. 15 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Rapicault was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Smith was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Isaiah R. Hunt, 20, of Green Bay , Wis. , died Nov. 15 in Baghdad , Iraq , when the driver of his military vehicle accidentally struck another vehicle. Hunt was assigned to the 782nd Main Support Battalion, 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. Cole W. Larsen, 19, of Canyon Country, Calif. , died Nov. 13 in Baghdad , Iraq , when a civilian vehicle struck his military vehicle causing it to roll over. Larsen was assigned to the 272nd Military Police Company, 21st Theater Support Command, Mannheim , Germany .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Luke C. Wullenwaber, 24, of Lewiston , Idaho , died Nov. 16 in Khaladiyah , Iraq , when he was conducting a security mission and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Wullenwaber was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves , Korea .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Marshall H. Caddy, 27, of Nags Head, N.C., died Nov. 16 in Khaladiyah , Iraq , when his military vehicle struck another military vehicle. Caddy was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves , Korea .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia, 21, of Santa Clarita , Calif. , died Nov. 16 in Mosul , Iraq , when an improvised explosive device hit his convoy. Flores-Mejia was assigned to the 25th Transportation Company, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii . Spc. Daniel James McConnell, 27, of Duluth , Minn. , died Nov. 16 in Kirkuk , Iraq , when he was involved in a vehicle accident. McConnell was assigned to the 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Christopher T. Heflin, 26, of Paducah , Ky. Lance Cpl. Louis W. Qualls, 20, of Temple , Texas . Both Marines died Nov. 16 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Heflin was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Qualls was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Grand Prairie , Texas .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Catalin D. Dima, 36, of White Lake