The Bush Butcher’s Bill: Officially, 90 US Military Deaths in Iraq from 1 through 30 May, 2005 – Official Total of 1,841 US Dead to date (and rising)

U.S. Military Personnel who died in German hospitals or en route to German hospitals have very rarely  been counted. They total about 6,210 as of 1 January, 2005. The ongoing, underreporting of the dead in Iraq, is not accurate. The DoD is deliberately reducing the figures. A review of many foreign news sites show that actual deaths are far higher than the newly reduced ones.  Iraqi civilian casualties are never reported but International Red Cross, Red Crescent and UN figures indicate that as of 1 January 2005, the numbers are just under 100,000.

by Brian Harring, Domestic Intelligence Reporter

Note: There is excellent reason to believe that the Department of Defense is deliberately not reporting a significant number of the dead in Iraq. We have received copies of  manifests from the MATS that show far more bodies shipped into Dover AFP than are reported officially. The educated rumor is that the actual death toll is in excess of 7,000. Given the officially acknowledged number of over 15,000 seriously wounded, this elevated death toll is far more realistic than the current 1,400+ now being officially published. When our research is complete, and watertight, we will publish the results along with the sources In addition to the evident falsification of the death rolls, at least 5,500 American military personnel have deserted, most in Ireland but more have escaped to Canada and other European countries, none of whom are inclined to cooperate with vengeful American authorities. (See TBR News of 18 February for full coverage on the mass desertions) This means that of the 158,000 U.S. military shipped to Iraq, 26,000  either deserted, were killed or seriously wounded. The DoD lists currently being very quietly circulated indicate almost 9,000 dead, over 16,000 seriously wounded* (See note below. This figure is now over 24,000 Ed) and a large number of suicides, forced hospitalization for ongoing drug usage and sales, murder of Iraqi civilians and fellow soldiers , rapes, courts martial and so on –

I have a copy of the official DoD casualty list. I am alphabetizing it with the reported date of death following. TBR will post this list in sections and when this is circulated widely by veteran groups and other concerned sites, if people who do not see their loved one’s names, are requested to inform their Congressman, their local paper, us and other concerned people as soon as possible.

The government gets away with these huge lies because they claim, falsely, that only soldiers actually killed on the ground in Iraq are reported. The dying and critically wounded are listed as en route to military hospitals outside of the country and not reported on the daily postings. Anyone who dies just as the transport takes off from the Baghdad airport is not listed and neither are those who die in the US  military hospitals. Their families are certainly notified that their son, husband, brother or lover was dead and the bodies, or what is left of them (refrigeration is very bad in Iraq what with constant power outages) are shipped home, to Dover AFB. This, we note, was the overall policy until very recently. Since it became well-known that many had died at Landstuhl, in Germany, the DoD began to list a very few soldiers who had died at other non-theater locations. These numbers are only for show and are pathetically small in relationship to the actual figures (which we are now publishing.) You ought to realize that President Bush personally ordered that no pictures be taken of the coffined and flag-draped dead under any circumstances. He claims that this is to comfort the bereaved relatives but is designed to keep the huge number of arriving bodies secret. Any civilian, or military personnel, taking pictures will be jailed at once and prosecuted. Bush has never attended any kind of a memorial service for his dead soldiers and never will. He is terrified some parent might curse him in front of the press or, worse, attack him. As Bush is a coward and in denial, this is not a surprise.

This listing program is finished so act accordingly. If there is an actual variance of, say, 10 names, that is acceptable. 50 would indicate sloppiness and anything over 100 a positive sign of lying. As of June 16, TBR has received 32 new, unlisted names.

Brian Harring

Haven’t we had enough of this?

Official DoD Casualty list of June, 2005

1

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The airmen died May 30 in the crash of an Iraqi air force aircraft during a training mission in eastern Diyala province. They are: Maj. William Downs, 40, of Winchester, Va., assigned to the 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Capt. Jeremy Fresques, 26, of Clarkdale, Ariz., assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Capt. Derek Argel, 28, of Lompoc, Calif., assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Staff Sgt. Casey Crate, 26, of Spanaway, Wash., assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died May 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV.  They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. The Soldiers are: Sgt. Charles A. Drier, 28, of Tuscola, Mich. Spec. Dustin C. Fisher, 22, of Fort Smith, Ark. Pfc. Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, of Hoopeston, Ill. 2

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Virgil R. Case, 37, of Mountain Home, Idaho, died June 1 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries.  Case was assigned to the Army National Guard's 145th Support Battalion, 116th Brigade Combat Team, Mountain Home, Idaho.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Steven M. Langmack, 33, of Seattle, Wash., died May 31 in Al Qaim, Iraq, from injuries sustained from small arms fire during combat operations. Langmack was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Miguel A. Ramos, 39, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, died May 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an enemy rocket impacted near his position.  Ramos was assigned to the Army Reserve's 807th Signal Company, 35th Signal Battalion, Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Phillip C. Edmundson, 22, of Wilson, N.C., died June 1 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations.  Edmundson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Louis E. Niedermeier, 20, of Largo, Fla., died June 1 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit was conducting combat operations and he came under enemy small arms fire.  Niedermeier was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

5

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They were killed on June 3 at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E in Afghanistan when their convoy vehicle was struck by an improvised expolsive device.  They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C. The soldiers are: Staff Sgt. Leroy E. Alexander, 27, of Dale City, Va. Cpt. Charles D. Robinson, 29, of Haddon Heights, N. J.

6

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Antonio Mendoza, 21, of Santa Ana, Calif., died June 3 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Feb. 22. At the time of his injury, Mendoza was assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th 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. Carrie L. French, 19, of Caldwell, Idaho, died June 5 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit the front of her convoy vehicle and detonated. French was assigned to the Army National Guard's 145th Support Battalion, Boise, Idaho.

7

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on June 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo. Killed were: Staff Sgt. Justin L. Vasquez, 26, of Manzanola, Colo. Spc. Eric J. Poelman, 21, of Racine, Wis. Pfc. Brian S. Ulbrich, 23, of Chapmanville, W. Va.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Col. Theodore S. Westhusing, 44, of Dallas, Texas, died June 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries.  Westhusing was serving with the Multi-national Security Transition Command-Iraq and was assigned to the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

8

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Brian M. Romines, 20, of Simpson, Ill., died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Romines was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery, Milan, Ill.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Jonathan L. Smith, 22, of Eva, Ala., died June 6 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-8, 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. Robert T. Mininger, 21, of Sellersville, Pa., died June 6 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-8, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

10

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Marc L. Tucker, 24, of Pontotoc, Miss., died June 8 as a result of a non-hostile vehicle accident in Asr Uranium, Iraq.  He was assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd FSSG, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Department of an Army civilian who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ms. Linda J. Villar, 41, of Franklinton, La., died June 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when a mortar struck her forward operating base. Villar worked for the U.S. Army Field Support Command, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Michael J. Kelley, 26, of Scituate, Mass., died June 8 in Shkin, Afghanistan, when his helicopter landing zone came under enemy fire.  Kelley was assigned to the Army National Guard's 101st Field Artillery Battalion, Rehoboth, Mass.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died on June 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained on June 7 in Tikrit, Iraq, when an explosion of unknown origin occurred near their location.  Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 42nd Infantry Division, Troy, N.Y. Killed were: Capt. Phillip T. Esposito, 30, of Suffern, N.Y. 1st Lt. Louis E. Allen, 34, of Milford, Pa.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Roberto Arizola, Jr., 31, of Laredo, Texas, died June 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Arizola was assigned to the Army's 297th Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of five Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Dustin V. Birch, 22, of Saint Anthony, Idaho. Lance Cpl. Daniel Chavez, 20, of Seattle, Wash. Lance Cpl. Thomas O. Keeling, 23, of Strongsville, Ohio. Lance Cpl. Devon P. Seymour, 21, of St. Louisville, Ohio. Cpl. Brad D. Squires, 26, of Middleburg Heights, Ohio. All five Marines died June 9 as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations with 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Haqlaniyah, Iraq. Keeling, Seymour, and Squires were assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Akron, Ohio. Birch was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Boise, Idaho. Chavez was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 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. Lt. Col. Terrence K. Crowe, 44, of New York, N.Y., died June 7 in Tal Afar, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.  Crowe was assigned to the Army Reserve's 10th Battalion, 98th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 98th Division, Lodi, N.J.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Mark O. Edwards, 40, of Unicoi, Tenn., died June 9 at his forward operating base near Tuz, Iraq, from a non-combat related cause.   Edwards was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Erwin, Tenn.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Pfc. Emmanuel Hernandez, 22, of Yauco, Puerto Rico, died June 8 in Shkin, Afghanistan, when his helicopter-landing zone came under enemy fire. Hernandez was assigned to the Army's 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Douglas E. Kashmer, 27, of Sharon, Pa., died June 8 in Nippur, Iraq, when the wrecker in which he was a passenger was involved in a non-combat related rollover.   Kashmer was assigned to the Army's 70th Transportation Company, Mannheim, Germany.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Michael J. Fasnacht, 25, of Columbus, Ga., died June 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.  Fasnacht was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

11

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. First Class Victor H. Cervantes, 27, of Stockton, Calif., died June 10 in Orgun-e, Afghanistan, when he came under small arms fire while on patrol. Cervantes was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

13

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died on June 11 in Owesat Village, Iraq, when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an improvised explosive device.  Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 150th Combat Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Lucedale, Miss.

Killed were:Sgt. Larry R. Arnold Sr., 46, of Carriere, Miss. Spc. Terrance D. Lee Sr., 25, of Moss Point, Miss.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Mario A. Castillo, 20, of Brownwood, Texas, Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Kilpela, 22, of Fowerville, Mich.Both Marines died June 10 as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations in Saqlawiyah, Iraq. They were assigned to 2^nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2^nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died June 11 in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle.Killed were:Spc. Casey Byers, 22, of Schleswig, Iowa.  Byers was assigned to the Army National Guard's 224^th Engineer Battalion, Ottumwa, Iowa. Sgt. 1st Class Neil A. Prince, 35, of Baltimore, Md.  Prince was assigned to the Army's 2^nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

14

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Lance Cpl. John J. Mattek Jr., 24, of Stevens Point, Wis., died June 13 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on June 8.  He was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-2, 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. Cpl. Stanley J. Lapinski, 35, of Las Vegas, Nev., died June 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Lapinski was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. David J. Murray, 23, of Clinton, La., died June 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Murray was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1088th Engineering Battalion, New Roads, La.

15

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died on June 13 in Ramadi, Iraq, where their military vehicle came under a grenade attack while conducting combat operations.  Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.The soldiers are: Sgt. Larry R. Kuhns Jr., 24, of Austintown, Ohio, .Spc. Anthony D. Kinslow, 21, of Westerville, Ohio.

16

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Jonathan R. Flores, 18, of San Antonio, Texas. Cpl. Jesse Jaime, 22, of Henderson, Nev. Cpl. Tyler S. Trovillion, 23, of Richardson, Texas. Lance Cpl. Dion M. Whitley, 21, of Los Angeles, Calif. All four Marines died June 15 when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  All four Marines were assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was operating with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, which was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Michael R. Hayes, 29, of Morgantown, Ky., died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a rocket-propelled grenade hit his HMMWV while he was providing security cordon for an improvised explosive device found earlier.  Hayes was assigned to the Army National Guard's 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Ky.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Anthony G. Jones, 25, of Greenville, S.C., died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Sgt. Jones was assigned to the 104th Transportation Company, 36th Engineer Group, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer 2nd Class Cesar O. Baez, 37, of Pomona, Calif., died June 15, as a result of enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in al-Anbar province, Iraq.  Baez was a Hospital Corpsman assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

17

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Chad B. Maynard, 19, of Montrose, Colo., died June 15 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  He was assigned to 1st 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 Enduring Freedom. Spc. Anthony S. Cometa, 21, of Las Vegas, Nev., died June 16 in Safwan, Kuwait, when his HMMWV rolled over.  He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1864th Transportation Company, 106th Transportation Battalion, Henderson, Nev.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Nathan B. Clemons, 20, of Winchester, Tenn., died June 14 from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Ar Rutbah, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance 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. Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, 43, of Marblehead, Mass., died on June 16 at the Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from injuries sustained on June 3 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle in Orgun-E, Afghanistan.  He was assigned the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

18

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Erik R. Heldt, 26, of Hermann, Mo. Capt. John W. Maloney, 36, of Chicopee, Mass. Both Marines died June 16 when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  They were assigned to 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment, 1^st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom their unit was attached to 2^nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

20

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Adam J. Crumpler, 19, from Charleston, W.Va., died June 18 as a result of small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Spear in Karabilah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3^rd Battalion, 2^nd Marine Regiment, 2^nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died on June 18 in Baqubah, Iraq, from injuries sustained on June 17 in Buritz, Iraq, when they were conducting a mounted patrol and their HMMWV was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades.  Both soldiers were assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.Killed were:1st Lt. Noah Harris, 23, of Ellijay, Ga. Cpl. William A. Long, 26, of Lilburn, Ga.

21

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died on June 17 in Al Qaim, Iraq, while conducting combat operations.  Both soldiers were assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Killed were:Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan, 40, of Austin, Texas.Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty, 36, of Knoxville, Tenn.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Christopher R. Kilpatrick, 18, of Columbus, Texas, died June 20 in Tal Afar, Iraq, during convoy operations when enemy forces attacked his HMMWV with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.  Kilpatrick was assigned to the 603rd Transportation Company, 142nd Corps Support Battalion, Warrior Brigade, Fort Polk, La.

23

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Nicholas R. Idalski, 23, of Crown Point, Ind., died June 21 in Ramadi, Iraq, where his unit was conducting combat operations and were attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Idalski was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died on June 21 in Ramadi, Iraq, where their unit was conducting combat operations, and were attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. Killed were: Spc. Christopher L. Hoskins, 21, of Danielson, Conn. Spc. Brian A. Vaughn, 23, of Pell City, Ala.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. James D. Stewart, 29, of Chattanooga, Tenn., died June 21 in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military cargo truck.  Stewart was assigned to the 57th Transportation Company, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Air Force pilot who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Maj. Duane W. Dively, 43, of Rancho California, Calif., died June 22 in Southwest Asia, in the crash of a U-2 aircraft.  Dively had completed flying a mission and was returning to his base when the crash occurred.  He was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.

24

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Arnold Duplantier II, 26, of Sacramento, Calif., died June 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was providing cordon security, and was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Duplantier was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Auburn, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Joseph M. Tackett, 22, of Whitehouse, Ky., died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury.  Tackett was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th 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. Lance Cpl. Holly A. Charette, 21, from Cranston, R.I., died June 23 from wounds sustained when a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device struck her vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq.  She was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

25

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Carlos Pineda, 23, Los Angeles, Calif., died June 24 as a result of wounds sustained from enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq.  He was assigned to 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

26

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Sgt. 1st Class Christopher W. Phelps, 39, of Louisville, Ky., died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Phelps was assigned to the Army's 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

27

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Lance Cpl. Veashna Muy, 20, of Los Angeles, Calif.Cpl. Chad W. Powell, 22, of West Monroe, La.Both Marines died June 23 while traveling in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq.  Both Marines were assigned to 8^th Marine Regiment, 2^nd 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. Charles A. Kaufman, 20, of Fairchild, Wis., died June 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Kaufman was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, Arcadia, Wis.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Cpl. Ramona M. Valdez, 20, of Bronx, N.Y., died June 23 while traveling in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq.  She was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2^nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Petty Officer 1st Class Regina R. Clark, 43, of Centralia, Wash., died June 23 in a convoy that was attacked by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Fallujah.  She was a culinary specialist deployed with Naval Construction Regiment Detachment 30, Port Hueneme, Calif., and was temporarily assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

29

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 2nd Lt. Matthew S. Coutu, 23, of North Kingstown, R.I., died June 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, where enemy forces engaged his convoy with small arms fire.  Coutu was assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died on June 27 near Taji, Iraq, where their AH-64D Apache helicopter crashed.  Both soldiers were assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.Killed were:Chief Warrant Officer Keith R. Mariotti, 39, of Texas.Chief Warrant Officer Steven E. Shepard, 30, of Purcell, Okla.

30

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Robert E. Hall Jr., 30, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died June 28 in Ad Dujayl, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted position at the gate of his forward operating base.  Hall was assigned to the Army Reserve's 467th Engineer Battalion, Greenwood, Miss.

The Full, Official U.S. Army Iraqi Casualty list, Alphabetized

This is a fully alphabetized list of the official number of U.S. Army dead in Iraq from the beginning of the Iraqi war through June 6, 2005.

There are many more deaths that have not appeared on the official lists because the DoD has taken the tricky tack of loading dying and probable fatalities onto aircraft and flying them out of Iraq to bases and hospitals outside of that country. So, if a GI is dying or has every expectation of dying, he or she is loaded on an aircraft and their subsequent deaths are not publicly reported as “Combat Deaths.” Of course the families or survivors are certainly notified of the death but the public is not.

The purpose of publishing this alphabetical name list (which I will update monthly) is to encourage the families and friends of survivors to contact us with the names of these unreported casualties.

We suggest supplying the name, rank and unit of the individual as well as contact information for verification.

We have encountered serious objections to our publishing the original DoD pdf file that lists the actual dead, injured, deserters and so on so we are getting around this by publishing the original cover page and then reformatting the information contained inside the cover.

Because there are over a hundred pages of the dead alone, this project will take some time because I am doing it myself, without any assistance and please do not volunteer to assist me.

And to those who keep writing to me in care of TBR News wanting to know my name and address “so they can help me” or “because if you don’t give me your name, SS number and address, I just can’t believe a word you say.” I can tell you that I have been around the academic world long enough to have learned not to give away my lengthy research to someone eager to get the credit, and the money, for my work.

They say that for an academic (or any writer for that matter) to steal from one person is plagiarism while stealing from many (like the late Steven Ambrose) is really research.  And yes, I am working on a book and yes, I have a publisher so be good enough to bug off and do your own work.

As far as the demanders of my name and address are concerned, go spy on your neighbors and then run, panting, to the FBI to get your plastic pin and tin toy badge. Or better still, stick your head in a chipper and turn it on.

Brian Harring

For list: Click here

The U.S. Department of Defense  Casualty Statistics-

I have put together a comprehensive analysis of the Iraqi War casualties from the beginning of the war in March of 2003 and continuing through the occupation and resistance to date.. I show a chronology supported with documents of the official death lists, and the then the official list of the actual deaths and injuries from the DoD The actual death tolls are far in excess of the official ones posted by the DoD. They have initially not publicly reported any deaths outside the theater of operations, i.e., hospital deaths at Walter Reed, Landstuhl in Germany and so on., however, with increasing negative publicity, the DoD is now including a very few names of military personnel who have died in hospital out of theater.

Brian Harring

Official and Actual Casualties of the Iraqi/Afghanistan War:

July 2003  Part 3

Official DoD Casualty list of July, 2003

3

The Department of Defense announced today that Pfc. Corey L. Small, 20, of East Berlin, Pa. died on July 3 in Iraq. Small died from a non-combat related cause. Small was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Company, 2 ACR, Fort Polk, La. The incident is under investigation.

4

The Department of Defense announced today that Pfc. Edward J. Herrgott, 20, of Shakopee, Minn., died on July 3 in Baghdad, Iraq. Herrgott died from a gunshot wound while on patrol. Herrgott was assigned to the 1-36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Wiesbaden, Germany. The incident is under investigation

8

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Chad L. Keith, 21, Batesville, Ind., was killed on July 7 in Baghdad, Iraq. Keith was on mounted patrol when his vehicle drove past an object that exploded on the side of the road. Keith was assigned to the 2-325th Infantry, Company D, Fort Bragg, N.C. Sgt. David B. Parson, 30, Kannapolis, N.C., was killed on July 6 in Baghdad, Iraq. Parson was conducting a raid on a house when he was shot and killed. Parson was assigned to the 1-37th Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Friedburg, Germany. Spc. Jeffrey M. Wershow, 22, Gainesville, Fla., was killed on July 6 in Baghdad, Iraq. Wershow was conducting military operations when he was shot and killed. Wershow was assigned to the 2-124th Infantry, 1st Armored Division, Orlando, Fla

9

The Department of Defense announced today the identities of three soldiers who died of non-combat related causes while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Barry Sanford, Sr., 46, of Aurora, Colo., died on July 7 in Balad, Iraq. Sanford was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Support Group, Fort Campbell, Ky. Sgt. 1st Class Craig A. Boling, 38, of Elkhart, Ind., died on July 8 in Camp Wolf, Kuwait. Boling was assigned to Company C, 1-152nd Infantry, Tell City, Ind. Pvt. Robert L. McKinley, 23, of Kokomo, Ind., died on July 8 in Homberg, Germany. McKinley was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-101st Air Assault, Fort Campbell, Ky.

10

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Christopher P. Geiger, 38, of Allentown, Pa., died on July 9 in Bagram, Afghanistan. Geiger died of a non-combat related cause while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Geiger was assigned to the 213th Area Support Group, Allentown, Pa.

11

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Dan H. Gabrielson, 39, Spooner, Wis., died on July 9 in Ba Qubah, Iraq. Gabrielson was assigned to the 652nd Engineer Company, Ellsworth, Wis. He was traveling in a convoy that came under attack. He was killed by hostile fire. Sgt. Melissa Valles, 26, Eagle Pass, Texas, died on July 9 in Balad, Iraq. Valles was assigned to B Company, 64th Forward Support Battalion, Fort Carson, Col. She died as a result of non-combat injuries. The incident is under investigation

14

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Roger D. Rowe, 54, Bon Aqua, Tenn., was killed on July 9 in Iraq. Rowe died as a result of an enemy sniper attack. Rowe was assigned to the 1174th Troop Command, in Columbia, Tenn.

The Department of Defense announced today that Lance Cpl. Jason Andrew Tetrault, 20, Moreno Valley, Calif., was killed in Kuwait on July 9 in a vehicle accident. Tetrault was assigned to 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif

15

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpt. Paul J. Cassidy, 36, of Laingsburg, Mich., died July 13 in Camp Babylon, Iraq. Cassidy died as a result of non-combat injuries. This incident is under investigation. Cassidy was assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Wis. Sgt. Michael T. Crockett, 27, of Soperton, Ga., was killed on July 14 in Baghdad, Iraq. Crockett was on patrol when he came under RPG attack. Crockett was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga. Spc. Joshua M. Neusche, 20, of Montreal, Mo., died July 12 in Homburg Hospital, Germany. Neusche died from a non-combat cause. Neusche was assigned to the 203rd Engineer Battalion, in Joplin, Mo.

Spc. Christian C. Schulz, 20, of Colleyville, Texas, died July 11 in Baqubah, Iraq. Schulz died as a result of non-combat injuries. This incident is under investigation. Schulz was assigned to the 3rd Troop, 67th Armor Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.

16

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Jaror C. Puello-Coronado, 36, Pocono Summit, Pa., died on July 13 at Camp Edson, Iraq. Puello-Coronado was manning a traffic point when the operator of a dump truck lost control of the vehicle. Puello-Coronado was struck by the truck and died of his injuries. Puello-Coronado was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 310th Military Police Battalion, in Uniondale, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today that Lance Cpl. Cory Ryan Geurin, 18, of Santee, Calif., was killed in Babylon, Iraq, on July 15. He was standing post on a palace roof in Babylon when he fell approximately 60 feet. Geurin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

18

The Department of Defense announced today that Petty Officer 3rd Class David J. Moreno, 26, Gering, Neb., was killed July 17 in Al Hamishiyah, Iraq, from a non-hostile gunshot wound. Moreno was assigned to the Naval Medical Center San Diego, Fourth Marine Division Detachment. The incident is under investigation.

19

The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Joel L. Bertoldie, 20, Independence, Mo. died on July 18 at Fallujah, Iraq. Bertoldie was thrown from the military vehicle he was driving when an explosive device was detonated underneath. Bertoldie was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 4-64 Armor Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

20

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraq Freedom. Sgt. Mason Douglas Whetstone, 30, a Utah native, died on July 17 in Baghdad, Iraq. Whetstone died as a result of non-combat injuries. The incident is under investigation. Whetstone was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 58th Aviation (Forward), Hanau, Germany. Second Lt. Jonathan D. Rozier, 25, of Katy, Texas died on July 19 at Baghdad, Iraq. Lieutenant Rozier’s unit was fired upon by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire while providing security at a municipal building. Rozier was assigned to B Company, 2-70th Armor Battalion, Fort Riley, KS (1st Armored Division).

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Jason D. Jordan, 24 of Elba, Ala. died on July 20 in Tallifar, Iraq. Sgt. Jordan was patrolling a village when the vehicle was ambushed by RPGs (rocket propelled grenades). Jordan was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1-187 Infantry Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky.

21

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Justin W. Garvey, 23, Townsend, Mass., was killed on July 20 in Tallifar, Iraq. Garvey was patrolling in his vehicle when it was ambushed and struck by rocket propelled grenades.   Garvey was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1-187 Infantry Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky.

22

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Christopher R. Willoughby, 29, Phenix City, Ala., died on July 20 in Baghdad, Iraq. Willoughby was riding in a vehicle that rolled over. Willoughby was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Gillen, Ga. Cpl. Mark A. Bibby, 25, Watha, N.C., died on July 21 in Baghdad, Iraq. Bibby was in a convoy to a water treatment facility when an improvised explosive device exploded. Bibby was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 422 Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, N.C.

23

The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Jon P. Fettig, 30, Dickinson, N.D., was killed on July 22 on the outside of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Fettig was killed when the Heavy Expanded-Mobility Tactical Truck he was in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Fettig was assigned to the 957th Engineer Company (V Corps), Bismarck, N.D.

The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Brett T. Christian, 27, North Royalton, Ohio, was killed on July 23 in Mosul, Iraq. Christian was in a convoy that came under attack by rocket propelled grenades. Christian was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 502 Infantry, 101st Airborne Div., Fort Campbell, Ky.

25

The Department of Defense announced today that on July 23 east of Baghdad, Iraq, Capt. Joshua T. Byers, 29, of Nevada was killed in action when his convoy hit an explosive device. Byers was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, in Fort Carson, Co.

On July 24, three soldiers were killed north of Al Hawd, Iraq, when their military convoy came under enemy fire. Killed were: Cpl. Evan Asa Ashcraft, 24, West Hills, Calif. Ashcraft was assigned to the Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, in Fort Campbell, Ky. Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, Bay Shore, N.Y. Heighter was assigned to the 2/320th Field Artillery, Fort Campbell, Ky. Staff Sgt. Hector R. Perez, 40, of Corpus Christi, Texas. Perez was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, in Fort Campbell, Ky.

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Juan M. Serrano, 31, Manati, Puerto Rico, died on July 24 in Baghdad, Iraq. Serrano was changing a tire on an M998 vehicle when it fell on him inflicting a fatal head injury. Serrano was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.

28

The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Ramon Reyes Torres, 29, Caguas, Puerto Rico, was killed on July 16 in Baghdad, Iraq. Reyes Torres was killed as he sought cover from a passing truck that contained a command detonated device. Reyes Torres was assigned to the 432nd Transportation Company, Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

The Department of Defense announced today the identities of three soldiers killed on July 26, in Baghdad, Iraq, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The deceased are: Sgt. Daniel K. Methvin, 22, Belton, Texas Spc. Jonathan P. Barnes, 21, Anderson, Mo. Pfc. Wilfredo Perez Jr., 24, Norwalk, Conn.

The soldiers were killed as a result of a grenade being thrown from a window of an Iraqi civilian hospital that they were guarding. The soldiers were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

29

The Department of Defense announced today the identities of two soldiers who were killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom: Pfc. Jonathan M. Cheatham, 19, of Camden, Ark., was killed on July 26 in Baghdad, Iraq. Cheatham was in a convoy that came under rocket propelled grenade attack. Cheatham was assigned to the 489th Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, North Little Rock, Ark. Sgt. Heath A. McMillin, 29, of Canandaigua, N.Y., was killed on July 27 South of Baghdad, Iraq. McMillin was on patrol when he came under attack from rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire. McMillin was assigned to the 105th Military Police Company, Army National Guard, Buffalo, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. William J. Maher III, 35, Yardley, Pa., was killed on July 28 in Baghdad, Iraq.  Maher was in a convoy when he was injured by an improvised explosive device.  Maher died of his injuries. Maher was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based at Ray Barracks, Germany.

30

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Nathaniel Hart Jr., 29, of Valdosta, Ga., died on July 28 in Tillil, Iraq.  Hart died of injuries he received when his vehicle went off the road and rolled over.

Supplemental list Click Here

The first, not the last throes

June 25, 2005
by Pepe Escobar
Asia Times

"The insurgency in Iraq is in its last throes."

- Vice President Dick Cheney, in May

Even the Central Intelligence Agency now admits that Iraq is the new Afghanistan - breeding a new, lethal generation of jihadis. Iraq has also been the new Vietnam since the day the resistance was born, April 18, 2003, in front of the Abu Hanifa mosque in  Baghdad. Iraq as the new Vietnam replays - in a new setting - the movie of a superpower being subdued by a guerrilla war. Remember former Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz's famous words before the invasion: "Let the desert be our jungles."

A mini-Tet offensive happened in Baghdad on Monday. In a city allegedly under the control of American and American-trained Iraqi forces, more than 100 guerrillas mounted a devastating attack on Baya'a, the biggest police station in Baghdad - employing successive waves of mortars, explosions, rocket-launcher attacks, hand grenades, sophisticated diversionary tactics and the sinister icing on the lethal cake, car bombings. Hi al-Elam, the neighborhood around the police station, was turned into a smoldering disaster zone. The guerrillas retreated after two hours, having lost dozens of men. But just like the Tet offensive, the message was clear: the writing, scrawled in graffiti, was literally on the walls of Hi al-Elam - "We'll be back."

Three days after this mini-battle in Baghdad, the Pentagon top brass had to face the fact that the writing on the wall is now becoming increasingly visible not only to tens of millions of Americans (60%, according to the latest polls) but to the cowed, Bush administration-intimidated Congress as well. Nevertheless, during eight hours of back-to-back testimony to House and Senate committees in Washington, the Pentagon still refused to abandon the rhetoric of "steady progress" and "victory is certain".

General John Abizaid, the Centcom chief, had to admit "more foreign fighters [are] coming into Iraq than there were six months ago" - not exactly Cheney's "last throes" scenario. Senator Robert Byrd, a Democrat from West Virginia, told Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld to "get off your high horse" and stop answering questions "with a sneer". Senator Ted Kennedy, a Democrat from Massachusetts, went one step further and suggested it was time for Rumsfeld to go.

Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee, "If the coalition were to leave before the Iraqi security forces are able to assume responsibility, we would one day again have to confront another Iraqi regime, perhaps even more dangerous than the last." The occupation's logic - we can't leave because they would not know how to take care of themselves - happens to be the same espoused on the record by Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, in Washington for official talks at the White House. Sunni Arabs in Iraq - as well as the Sadrists - will take note, adding even more fuel to the fire.

Help, the voters will kill us

The somewhat rash exchanges in Washington have to be put in the context of the 2006 mid-term elections in the US. The Iraq quagmire is leading senators and congressmen - especially Republican - to a degree of panic. They're starting to realize that President George W Bush's war is taking them down. Democrats for their part - including those who supported the war in the first place - are scenting blood. Crucially, no senators or congressmen suggested that the Pentagon should send more troops to Iraq - an extremely unpopular move. But at the same time, nobody suggested troops should be withdrawn immediately - which means they still, albeit grudgingly, subscribe to the Pentagon's strategy.

The disorientation was more than evident in the behavior of Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and staunch war supporter. Graham said he was concerned by declining support for the war - which means bad news in the next elections - but he also said, ominously, "We have bought into a model that is extremely difficult, but the only answer, because you can't kill enough of these people" - implying that it is such a pity the Pentagon cannot produce a thousand Fallujahs.

For his part, Carl Levin, Democrat from Michigan and the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, came up with the wacky suggestion that "the United States needs to tell the Iraqis and the world that if that deadline [for approving a new constitution] is not met, we will review our position with all options open, including but not limited to, setting a timetable for withdrawal". Levin shifts the blame for all the mess from the occupation to Iraq's politicians. He should beware of what he wants: Iraqis may enthusiastically welcome his proposition, as throwing the occupiers out is their No 1 priority.

And it's one, two, three, what are we fighting for

The Pentagon strategy is not working, and it won't work for two main reasons. The neo-conservative American project for Iraq was based on ethnic, confessional sectarianism for a start. The current pre-civil-war atmosphere is just a consequence of privileging Kurds out of proportion and marginalizing Sunni Arabs - not to mention the blowback (from Washington's point of view) of a weak Shi'ite-dominated, Islamic-leaning, Iran-friendly government having to fight not only the Sunni Arab guerrillas, but a Sunni-Sadrist political opposition. Moreover, the development of the so-called Iraqi defense forces may take at least five years. The current militia inferno - tolerated or even encouraged by the Americans - is bound to derail the country for at least a generation.

Just like in Vietnam, the Americans have no meaningful intelligence on the resistance. It's a massive, American strategic, cultural and linguistic failure. That's why American "counterinsurgency" in Iraq these days is reduced to supporting militias nested in the Interior Ministry - "Rumsfeld's boys", as they are known - as well as operations conducted by El Salvador-style death squads. There's no way this will win Sunni Arab hearts and minds. For most Sunni Arabs, from the simply alienated to the terrified, most of them impoverished to sub-Saharan conditions, the American presence - in the form of awesome firepower - only means death and destruction.

The hearings this Thursday in Washington may have been just the tip of the iceberg. The real facts on the ground are, in Iraq, a horrific quagmire; and in the US, the unstoppable rising of anti-war sentiment. This is not a "last throes" scenario - rather the first throes of a national American rejection of the Iraqi imperial adventure. Just like in Vietnam.

Pace of troop deaths up in Iraq

June 30, 2005
by Rick Jervis
USA TODAY

BAGHDAD — U.S. military deaths in Iraq increased by about one-third in the past year, even as Iraq established its own government and assumed more responsibility for battling the insurgency.

At least 882 U.S. troops died in the 12 months through Thursday, up from 657 in the preceding year, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Defense Department numbers. Iraqis assumed sovereignty a year ago this week, part of a U.S. strategy to lessen the visibility of U.S. troops and shift more responsibility for security to Iraq forces.

Lately, insurgents have made roadside bombs deadlier and deployed more car and suicide bombs.

Marine Lt. Gen. James Conway said at a Pentagon briefing Thursday that insurgents are increasing their use of the type of attack "that gives you the big blast and possibly causes more casualties."

"The insurgency is shifting all the time," Maj. Gen. William Webster, commander of U.S. troops in Baghdad, said recently. "This is a learning enemy."

In June, 79 (90.ed) U.S. service members died in Iraq, about as many as in May.

President Bush has counseled patience with the mission. In marking the anniversary of sovereignty Tuesday night, he warned that there will be "tough moments that test America's resolve" in Iraq.

The insurgents' continually shifting tactics have frustrated U.S. and Iraqi military efforts to halt their attacks. For example, offensives in Fallujah and other insurgent strongholds deprived the militants of havens and forced them to scatter them throughout the country. The insurgents then regrouped in scattered pockets. The increasing use of car bombs may be part of the insurgents' reaction to the offensives that took away their secure bases.

Car bombs inflict maximum damage with minimum resources, Air Force Brig. Gen. Donald Alston, the chief U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, said Thursday.

"They've gone to more spectacular systems that could inflict more casualties per attack, likely because they can't sustain a high volume of attacks," Alston said.

The military cautions against drawing conclusions from spikes in violence. Attacks typically come in waves, and militants use the lulls between those waves to regroup, train and choose new targets.

For example, there were a record 140 car bombs in May and 135 in April. In June, the number dropped to 70, plus 18 that were discovered before they were detonated, according to the U.S. military.

Insurgents have also created more dangerous roadside bombs designed to penetrate the American military's heavily armored vehicles. "Shaped charges" are designed to concentrate the blast in a single area, increasing the chance of penetrating armor.

"We have lost soldiers and/or Marines to some of these devices," Conway said at an earlier briefing.

U.S. troops continue to train Iraqi forces. There are currently more than 168,500 trained and equipped Iraqi security forces, though not all are battle-ready.

Contributing: Steven Komarow in Washington

US Army faces risk in reaching recruitment goal

July 1, 2005
Xinhua

The US Army faces "serious risk " in reaching its goal of 80,000 recruits this year and may experience more trouble next year, partly due to the strain caused by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a top Army general said Thursday.

General Peter Schoomaker, the Army's chief of staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Army met only 84 percent of the year-to-date recruitment target, 7,800 recruits behind the goal.

Next year "may be the toughest recruiting environment ever," Schoomaker said. "It is critical to recognize and acknowledge the war-induced strain felt by our institution and the soldiers and their families who are bearing the burden of this global war," he said.

Schoomaker asked lawmakers for support in the Army's recruitment effort. "It's very important that you and your colleagues use your considerable influence to explain to the American people and to those that are influencers out there how important it is for our young people to serve this nation at a time like this," he said.

Several Senators blamed the news media for partly contributing to the recruiting shortfall.

"With the deluge of negative news that we get daily, it's just amazing to me that anybody would want to sign up," said Senator Pat Roberts, a Republican from Kansas

US misled UK over Iraq fire bombs

July 1, 2005
By: Richard Norton-Taylor,
The Guardian

The government was asked yesterday to explain why the US failed to tell it the truth about use on Iraq of incendiary bombs, successors to the napalm used in Vietnam.

The MoD repeatedly denied Mark 77 incendiary bombs were dropped, on the basis of US assurances. Defence secretary John Reid now says the assurances, made to predecessor Geoff Hoon, were wrong and he "must correct the position".

US Marines dropped 30 Mark 77 fire bombs between March 31 and April 2 2003 "against military targets away from civilian areas". In a letter to Michael Ancram, shadow defence secretary, Mr Reid also says: "The MK77 does not have the same composition as napalm, although it has similar destructive characteristics."

He adds the Pentagon had also told the government that "owing to the limited accuracy of the MK77, it is not generally used in urban terrain or in areas where civilians are congregated". Mr Reid points out Britain is bound by convention not to use incendiary weapons against military targets located within concentrations of civilians.

He continues: "US policy in relation to international conventions is a matter for the US government, but all of our allies are aware of their obligations under international humanitarian law."

Mr Ancram said the issue raised questions "about the quality of our communications with our US allies", and has asked Mr Reid to explain.

He also referred to an article in August 2003, Officials confirm dropping firebombs on Iraqi troops, in the San Diego Tribune, which said Marine pilots dropped dozens near bridges, creating fireballs.

Mr Hoon was denying the use of incendiary bombs, on the basis of what he was told, as late as April this year.

When reports surfaced, the Pentagon separated "napalm" from "firebombs". According to GlobalSecurity.org, MK77s "function identical to earlier MK77 napalm weapons" using kerosene rather than benzene.

Army recruiting up for June but still down for year

June 29, 2005
by Dave Moniz,
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Army cut into its recruiting deficit slightly in June but still faces a daunting battle to meet its annual goal of 80,000 new enlistees.

Army recruiters enlisted 6,157 new soldiers this month, 507 more than its goal, Army officials said Wednesday.

The June surplus breaks a string of four straight months in which the Army missed it goals by wide margins.

Through June 27, the Army had recruited 47,121 new soldiers in 2005. That's more than 7,800 below the number it needed to be on track to meet its goal for the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

The Army's success in June can be partly attributed to modest expectations. The June 2005 goal was more than 1,000 recruits lower than the June 2004 goal.

Despite the improvement, the Army has only three months left to recruit the soldiers needed to meet its yearly goal. That's an average of nearly 11,000 per month.

Through the first nine months of this fiscal year, the Army has averaged about 5,200 recruits a month.

The Army officials who provided the June recruiting totals asked to remain anonymous, because the Pentagon prohibits them from talking publicly until it releases June recruiting figures for all services on July 10.

The June numbers, while an improvement over the four previous months, also were not anywhere near the 8,086 recruits the Army brought in during January. That's despite offering enlistments as short as 15 months and bonuses as high as $20,000 for some who join.

June's recruiting numbers look good if people don't realize the Army is still going to miss its annual goal, said Loren Thompson, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute in Arlington, Va.

The Army will try to reverse the downturn later this year by adding an additional 800 recruiters and exploring options that include focusing on home-schooled teenagers and signing up more soldiers who score in the lower half of military aptitude tests.

The new recruiters will bring the total to 7,000, which includes 1,000 added earlier this year, Army Secretary Francis Harvey said in an interview with USA TODAY.

Harvey also said the Army will seek congressional approval to raise the top enlistment bonus to $40,000.

The new recruiters will come from the ranks of midcareer enlisted troops in other units, putting further strain on a force that has carried the heaviest burden in prosecuting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Harvey and other Army officials say they expect recruiting to pick up this summer, but they concede that 2006 could be another extremely difficult year.

Home-schooled students are a growing pool of potential recruits, Harvey said. There were about1.1 million students home-schooled in the USA in 2003, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Laura Derrick, president of the National Home Education Network, said she believes the Army is smart to focus on home-schoolers but there aren't enough of them "to put a dent in what they are looking at."

Derrick said a significant number of children who are home-schooled are in military families. One challenge for the Army will be figuring out how to contact them.

"Home-schooling families aren't that easy to reach," she said.

Another option to boost the Army's numbers, Harvey said, is increasing the number of soldiers who scored below 50% on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. Currently, the Army requires that 67% of new recruits score above 50%.

Because 71% of Army recruits in 2005 have scored above 50%, that lets the service bring in more who scored below 50%, Harvey said.

Retired Army colonel David McGinnis, a military readiness specialist, said increasing the number of soldiers with low test scores shouldn't hurt the Army in the short term, but a drop in quality is inevitable if recruiting does not improve.

During his nationally televised speech Tuesday, President Bush appealed for new recruits, saying there's "no higher calling" than military service.