[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 139 (Wednesday, December 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12032-S12037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


     Corporal Lance M. Thompson and Lance Corporal James Eric Swain

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, as a nation, we must always keep in mind 
that our military successes come at a high cost in the loss of 
promising young human lives. I rise today to pay tribute to two Hoosier 
marines who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
  Cpl Lance M. Thompson, 21, of Upland, IN, was killed in action while 
conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal 
Thompson graduated from Eastbrook High School in 2001 and married Dawn 
Case, of Van Buren, Indiana, in 2002. He was on his second tour of duty 
in Iraq. Corporal Thompson was an outstanding marine. He will be 
missed.
  LCpl James Eric Swain, 20, of Kokomo, IN, was killed in action while 
conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal 
Swain, a member of the National Honor Society, graduated from Kokomo 
High School in 2002. He was involved in numerous church and community 
projects in Kokomo. Lance Corporal Swain was an outstanding marine. He 
will be missed.
  My thoughts and prayers are with both of these families as they 
remember and celebrate the lives and dedicated service of these 
marines.


                        Michigan's Fallen Heroes

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the brave 
men and women of the U.S. armed forces who have given their lives 
during the military operations in Iraq. Of the over 1,270 casualties to 
date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 42 of these fallen heroes are from or 
have family in my home state of Michigan. My heartfelt sympathies go 
out to the families and friends of these great Americans. On behalf of 
the State of Michigan, I offer my deepest gratitude for the service, 
sacrifice, and commitment of these men and women in upholding the 
ideals of this Nation.
  These men and women represent the finest of our citizens. They have 
revealed their unyielding courage, sense of duty, and patriotism. For 
this, their service to this Nation will never be forgotten.
  I would like to honor the following men and women of the U.S. Armed 
Forces that have Michigan ties and have bravely made the ultimate 
sacrifice while serving in Iraq:
  Army PVT Brandon Sloan, 19, of Bedford Heights, OH, was killed when 
his unit, the 507th Maintenance Co., was ambushed near Nasiriyah on 
March 23, 2003. Sloan's mother, Kimberly, lives in Fraser.
  Marine MAJ Kevin Nave, 36, formerly of Oakland County's White Lake 
Township, was killed when he was run over by a military vehicle on 
March 26, 2003. Nave was a veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and 
lived in Oceanside, CA. He is survived by his wife and two children.
  Army SGT Todd James Robbins, 33, formerly of Pentwater, died after 
the Bradley fighting vehicle he manned with eight other soldiers was 
bombed on April 2, 2003, possibly by friendly fire. Robbins, a veteran 
of the first gulf war, was stationed at Fort Sill, OK. He is survived 
by a wife and a 13-year-old son.
  Army SGT Michael Pedersen, 26, formerly of Flint, was one of six 
soldiers killed in the crash of an Army Black Hawk helicopter on April 
2, 2003, during a fire fight in Iraq. He served as a helicopter crew 
chief with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, GA.
  Army PFC Jason Meyer, 23, was killed on April 7, 2003, when his 
personnel carrier came under fire. He graduated from Howell High School 
in 1999 and joined the Army in 2001. Meyer was based in Fort Stewart, 
GA, and had celebrated his first wedding anniversary 2 weeks before his 
death.

[[Page S12033]]

  Marine PFC Juan Garza, 20, of Temperance was killed by sniper fire on 
April 8, 2003. Garza graduated from Summerfield High School in 2002 and 
was married the day after Christmas.
  Air Force SSGT Scott Sather, 29, of Clio was killed in action in Iraq 
on April 8, 2003. He was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, 
based out of Pope Air Force Base, NC.
  Army SPC Richard A. Goward, 32, of Midland was killed on April 14, 
2003, when his truck entered a dust cloud and collided with another 
truck in Iraq. Goward was assigned to the Midland-based 1460th 
Transportation Company of the Michigan Army National Guard. The father 
of two daughters served on active duty with the Army from 1990 to 1996, 
then joined the Michigan Guard after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
  Army SGT Sean Reynolds, 25, was killed on May 3, 2003, in an apparent 
accident involving his own weapon in northern Iraq. He grew up in 
Detroit and graduated from East Lansing High School in 1995. Reynolds 
was assigned to the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade, deployed near 
Kirkuk. The 173rd is based in Vicenza, Italy.
  Army MSG William Lee Payne, 46, who joined the Army shortly after 
graduating from Otsego High School in 1975, died on May 16, 2003, in 
Haswah, Iraq. He was killed in an explosion. Payne was an intelligence 
officer for the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment of the 3rd Brigade, 
1st Armored Division.
  Army SSG Brett J. Petriken, 30, of Flint, a military police officer, 
was one of two soldiers killed on May 26, 2003, when a heavy equipment 
transporter crossed a median and struck his vehicle in Samawah, Iraq. 
He was part of the 501st Military Police Unit of the 1st Armored 
Division.
  Army CPT Paul J. Cassidy, 36, of Laingsburg died in Camp Babylon as a 
result of non-combat injuries on July 13, 2003. He was part of the 
432nd Civil Affairs Battalion based in Ashwaubenon, WI, a suburb of 
Green Bay. Cassidy, a reservist, was in Iraq performing humanitarian 
services. He also served as department secretary for the Meridian 
Township clerk's office.
  Army SGT Trevor A. Blumberg, 22, of Wayne County's Canton Township, a 
paratrooper, died on Sept. 14, 2003, when a roadside bomb hit a convoy 
and destroyed his Humvee in Fallujah, Iraq. Blumberg was an 82nd 
Airborne paratrooper with the 1st Battalion of the 504th Parachute 
Infantry Regiment.
  Army SPC Donald L. Wheeler, 22, of Concord died as a result of the 
injuries he sustained on October 13, 2003, in Tikrit, Iraq, when his 
unit came under attack from insurgent forces. Wheeler was assigned to A 
Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, 
Fort Hood, TX.
  Army SSG Paul J. Johnson, 29, of Calumet was killed when Iraqi 
fighters ambushed his patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, on October 20, 2003. 
Johnson served in the 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, NC. 
He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry 
Regiment.
  Army SPC Artimus D. Brassfield, 22, of Flint was killed in a mortar 
attack while he played basketball at an outpost on October 24, 2003.
  Army SSG Mark D. Vasquez, 35, of Port Huron was killed when the 
Bradley Fighting Vehicle in which he was riding was struck by an 
improvised explosive device on November 8, 2003. Vasquez was assigned 
to the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division 
based in Fort Riley, KS.

  U.S. Army SSG Paul Neff II, 30, of Fort Mill, SC, on November 7, 
2003, in Tikrit. The Black Hawk was shot down by unknown enemy 
ordnance. Neff was assigned to 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 
101st Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell, KY. He is survived by 
his father in West Branch.
  Army PFC Damian S. Bushart, 22, of Oakland County's Waterford 
Township was killed on November 22, 2004, when a tank collided with his 
vehicle in Baghdad. Bushart was assigned to A Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st 
Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division; Armstrong Barracks, Germany.
  Army PFC Jason G. Wright, 19, of Luzerne was killed on December 8, 
2003, when his vehicle came under fire while he was providing security 
at a gas station in northern Iraq. Wright was a mortarman assigned to 
Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. He 
entered the Army in June 2002, and arrived at Fort Campbell, KY, the 
following December.
  Army SSG Thomas W. Christensen, 42, of Atlantic Mine was killed on 
December 25, 2003, when his living quarters in Baqouba, Iraq, came 
under mortar attack. Christensen was assigned to the 652nd Engineer 
Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, a bridge-building unit based in Harvey. 
The detachment is a multi-role bridge-building outfit with 
administrative ties to Ellsworth, WI.
  Army SSG Stephen C. Hattamer, 43, of Gwinn was killed on December 25, 
2003, when his living quarters in Baqouba, Iraq, came under mortar 
attack. Hattamer was assigned to the 652nd Engineer Battalion, U.S. 
Army Reserve, a bridge-building unit based in Harvey. The detachment is 
a multi-role bridge-building outfit with administrative ties to 
Ellsworth, WI.
  Army PFC Holly J. McGeogh, 19, of Taylor was among three soldiers 
killed when a homemade bomb exploded on January 31, 2004, along a road 
near Kirkuk, Iraq, as their convoy passed by. She was assigned to 
Company A, 4th Forward Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, from 
Fort Hood, TX.
  Army SPC Richard K. Trevithick, 20, of Gaines was killed on April 14, 
2004, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his convoy 
vehicle in Balad, Iraq. He was part of the 9th Engineer Battalion, 2nd 
Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Schweinfurt, Germany.
  Army SFC Bradley C. Fox, 34, who grew up in Adrian, died on April 20, 
2004, of wounds suffered March 14 when a roadside bomb detonated near 
his vehicle. He was serving with the 1st Armored Division.
  Army PFC Richard H. Rosas, 21, of St. Louis was one of two soldiers 
killed on May 25, 2004, when their patrol was hit by an improvised 
explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq. He was serving with the 3rd 
Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery, 10th Mountain Division, Light 
Infantry, based in Fort Drum, NY.
  Army SGT Aaron Elandt, 23, of Port Hope died on May 30, 2004, when 
the Humvee he was in struck a land mine while responding to a mortar 
attack. Elandt was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division and 
had been in Iraq for about 14 months.
  Army SPC Craig S. Frank, 24, of Lincoln Park, a Michigan National 
Guard military police officer, died on July 17, 2004, after his vehicle 
was hit by an improvised explosive device near Baghdad. Frank was 
serving with the 1775th Military Police Company out of Pontiac. He was 
studying education at Eastern Michigan University before his call-up.
  Army SFC David A. Hartman, 41, of Akron died on July 17, 2004, in 
Beiji after the vehicle he was driving was hit by an improvised 
explosive device. Hartman was assigned to the Army Reserve's 401st 
Transportation Company out of Battle Creek.
  Army PFC Nicholas H. Blodgett, 21, of Wyoming died on July 21, 2004, 
in Abdalluyah, Iraq. He was killed when his patrol vehicle hit an 
improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Cavalry 
Regiment of the Army's 1st Squadron and stationed in Schweinfurt, 
Germany.
  Army SPC Donald R. McCune, 20, of Ypsilanti died on August 5, 2004, 
in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries he received when an improvised 
explosive device detonated near his patrol in Balad. McCune was 
assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry 
Regiment, 81st Brigade Combat Team and stationed in Moses Lake, WA.
  Army SPC Dana Wilson, Hudsonville, 26, of Fountain, CO, died on July 
11, 2004, near Al Hillah when the vehicle Wilson was riding in was 
involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Wilson was 
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Brigade in 
Baumholder, Germany. Wilson's mother lives in Hudsonville.
  Army SSG Donald N. Davis, 42, of Saginaw died on August 24, 2004, 
when a tractor and a tanker trailer rolled over an embankment in 
Fallujah, Iraq. Davis was assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve's 660th 
Transportation Company in Zanesville, OH.
  Army SGT Carl Thomas, 29, a native of Detroit who lived in Phoenix 
before being stationed at Fort Hood, TX, died on September 13, 2004, 
when a homemade explosive detonated near his

[[Page S12034]]

Army observation post in Baghdad. Thomas was assigned to the 1st 
Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment.
  Army PVT Mark Barbret, 22, of Macomb County's Shelby Township died on 
October 14, 2004, when the Humvee he was riding in hit a roadside bomb 
near Ramadi, Iraq. Barbret was an Army mechanic with the 2nd Infantry 
Division.
  Army SPC Don A. Clary, of Troy, Kansas died on November 8, 2004, in 
Baghdad when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near 
his convoy. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field 
Artillery, Kansas National Guard in Horton, KS. Clary's mother resides 
in Flint.
  Army PFC Dennis Miller Jr., 21, of La Salle died on November 10, 
2004, after his unit came under attack and a rocket-propelled grenade 
struck his tank in Ramadi, Iraq. Miller was assigned to the 2nd 
Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.
  Marine LCpl Justin D. Reppuhn, 20, of Hemlock died on November 11, 
2004, as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province. Reppuhn was 
assigned to motor transport duties with the 3rd Light Armored 
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
  Marine LCpl Justin M. Ellsworth, 20, of Mount Pleasant died on 
November 14, 2004, while on reconnaissance during the U.S. assault on 
Fallujah. He was assigned to a Combat Service Support Battalion 1 in 
the First Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Pendleton, CA.
  Marine LCpl Michael Wayne Hanks, 22, of Gregory, died on November 17, 
2004, as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned 
to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, in the 
First Marine Expeditionary Force. The Marines issued him a formal 
commendation on May 11, 2003, for saving the life of an Iraqi civilian 
in Ash Shatra, 170 miles south of Baghdad.
  Marine Cpl Gentian Marku, 22, of Warren, died on November 25, 2004, 
as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province. Marku was assigned to 
1st Battallion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine 
Expeditionary Force and stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. He was awarded 
medals for good conduct, humanitarian service, combat action, and other 
activities. Marku moved to the United States from Albania when he was 
14.
  Army SPC Corey Hubbell, Holly, 20, of Urbana, Illinois died on June 
26, 2004, in Camden Yards, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. Hubbell died from a non-combat related cause. Hubbell was 
assigned to Company B, 46th Engineer Battalion, Fort Rucker, AL. 
Hubbell's father resides in Holly.
  This list was provided by the Detroit Free Press on December 1, 2004.


                       CALIFORNIA'S FALLEN HEROES

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to 66 young 
Americans who have been killed in Iraq since October 7. All of them 
were from California or were based in California.
  SPC Morgen N. Jacobs, age 20, died October 7 in Tikrit, of injuries 
sustained in Aaliyah on October 6, when an improvised explosive device 
detonated near his patrol vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st 
Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, 
Germany. He was from Santa Cruz, CA.
  PFC First Class Andrew Halverson, age 19, died October 9 as result of 
enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 
5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPL Ian T. Zook, age 24, died October 12 as a result of enemy action 
in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 
Twentynine Palms, CA.
  PFC Oscar A. Martinez, age 19, died October 12 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary 
Force Headquarters Group, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  Lance CPL Victor A. Gonzalez, age 19, was killed in action October 13 
from an explosion while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar 
Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st 
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Watsonville, CA.
  2LT Lt. Paul M. Felsbert, age 27, died October 13 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  MAJ Charles R. Soltes, Jr., age 36, died October 13 in Mosul when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. He was 
assigned to the Army Reserve's 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, Upland, 
CA. He was from Irvine, CA.
  PVT David L. Waters, age 19, died October 14 in Baghdad when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. He was 
assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th 
Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, NY. He was from Auburn, 
CA.
  CPL William I. Salazar, age 26, died October 15 from wounds received 
as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 
Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SGT Douglas E. Bascom, age 25, died October 20 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was a member of the Individual Ready 
Reserves who was mobilized and assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Jonathan E. Gadsden, age 21, died October 22 at the James A. 
Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, Florida, from injuries received 
during enemy action in Al Anbar Province on August 21. He was assigned 
to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, 
CA.
  LCpl Richard P. Slocum, age 19, died October 24 due to a non-combat 
related vehicle accident near Abu Ghraib, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st 
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, 
CA. He was from Saugus, CA.
  CPL Brian Oliveira, age 22, died October 25 from injuries received 
from enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd 
Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, 
CA.
  LCpl Jeremy D. Bow, age 20, died October 30 due to enemy action in Al 
Anbar Province. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 
3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He was from Lemoore, CA.
  1LT Matthew D. Lynch, age 25, died October 31 from enemy action in Al 
Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Jared P. Hubbard, age 22, died November 4 when he sustained 
fatal wounds from an explosion while conducting combat operations in 
the Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Clovis, 
CA.
  CPL Jeremiah A. Baro, age 21, died November 4 when he sustained fatal 
shrapnel wounds from an explosion while conducting combat operations in 
the Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Fresno, 
CA.
  LCpl Sean M. Langley, age 20, died November 7 from injuries received 
as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 
2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp 
Pendleton, CA.
  SPC Quoc Binh Tran, age 26, died November 7 in Baghdad from wounds 
sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his 
military vehicle. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 181st 
Support Battalion, San Bernardino, CA. He was from Mission Viejo, CA.
  LCpl Thomas J. Zapp, age 20, died November 8 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to Combat Service Support 
Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support 
Group, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Juan E. Segura, age 26, died November 9 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPL William C. James, age 24, died November 9 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from 
Huntington Beach, CA.

[[Page S12035]]

  LCpl Nicholas D. Larson, age 19, died November 9 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Nathan R. Wood, age 19, died November 9 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Abraham Simpson, age 19, died November 9 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from 
Chino, CA.
  LCpl Erick J. Hodges, age 21, died November 10 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from 
Bay Point, CA.
  SSG Gene Ramirez, age 28, died November 10 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SSG Michael C. Ottolini, age 45, died November 10 in Balad, Iraq when 
an improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored HMMWV. He 
was assigned to the Army National Guard's 579th Engineer Battalion, 
Petaluma, CA. He was from Sebastopol, CA.
  LCpl Justin D. Reppuhn, age 20, died November 11 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored 
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPL Theodore A. Bowling, age 25, died November 11 as a result of 
enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 
1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SSG Theodore S. Holder, II, age 27, died November 11 as a result of 
enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 
3rd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  2LT James P. Blecksmith, age 24, died November 11 as a result of 
enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 
5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was 
from San Marino, CA.
  LCpl Kyle W. Burns, age 20, died November 11 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored 
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPL Jarrod L. Maher, age 21, died November 12 as result of a non-
hostile gunshot wound at Abu Ghraib. His death is under investigation. 
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SGT Morgan W. Strader, age 23, died November 12 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Nicholas H. Anderson, age 19, died November 12 in a vehicle 
incident while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province. He 
was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Justin M. Ellsworth, age 20, died November 13 as a result of 
enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to Combat Service 
Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service 
Support Group, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SGT Byron W. Norwood, age 25, died November 13 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Benjamin S. Bryan, age 23, died November 13 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Victor R. Lu, age 22, was killed in action November 13 from 
small arms fire while conducting combat operation in the Al Anbar 
Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st 
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Los Angeles, CA.
  LCpl Justin D. McLeese, age 19, died November 14 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPL Dale A. Burger, age 21, died November 14 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPL Andres H. Perez, age 21, was killed in action November 14 from an 
explosion while conducting combat operation in the Al Anbar Province. 
He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Santa Cruz, CA.
  LCpl Jeramy A. Ailes, age 22, was killed in action November 15 from 
small arms fire while conducting combat operation in the Al Anbar 
Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st 
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Gilroy, CA.
  LCpl George J. Payton, age 20, died November 14 after sustaining 
fatal injuries while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar 
Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st 
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Culver City, CA.
  SGT Rafael Peralta, age 25, died November 15 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd 
Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He was 
from San Diego, CA.
  CPL Marc T. Ryan, age 25, died November 15 as result of enemy action 
in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl James E. Swain, age 20, died November 15 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Shane E. Kielion, age 23, died November 15 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPT Patrick Marc M. Rapicault, age 34, died November 15 as result of 
enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 
5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Antoine D. Smith, age 22, died November 15 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  PFC Cole W. Larsen, age 19, died November 13 in Baghdad when a 
civilian vehicle struck his military vehicle causing it to roll over. 
He was assigned to the 272nd Military Police Company, 21st Theater 
Support Command, Mannheim, Germany. He was from Canyon Country, CA.
  CPL Lance M. Thompson, age 21, died November 15 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  PFC Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia, age 21, died November 16 in Mosul when 
an improvised explosive device hit his convoy. He was assigned to the 
25th Transportation Company, Schofield Barracks, HI. He was from Santa 
Clarita, CA.
  SGT Christopher T. Heflin, age 26, died November 16 as result of 
enemy action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 
1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Luis A. Figueroa, age 21, was killed in action November 18 from 
small arms fire while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar 
Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st 
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Los Angeles, CA.
  LCpl Michael W. Hanks, age 22, died November 17 as result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  LCpl Phillip G. West, age 19, died November 19 after sustaining fatal 
bilateral shrapnel wounds to his legs from an explosion while 
conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province. He was assigned 
to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp 
Pendleton, CA. He was from American Canyon, CA.

[[Page S12036]]

  CPL Joseph J. Heredia, age 22, died November 20 in Landstuhl, Germany 
from wounds received as result of enemy action on November 10 in Al 
Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Santa Maria, CA.
  LCpl Joseph T. Welke, age 20, died November 20 in Landstuhl, Germany 
from wounds received as result of enemy action on November 19 in Al 
Anbar Province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  CPL Kirk J. Bosselmann, age 21, died November 27 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th 
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejune, NC. He was from 
Napa, CA.
  LCpl Jordan D. Winkler, age 19, died November 26 due to a non-combat 
related incident at Camp Fallujah. The incident is under investigation. 
He was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service 
Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SGT Trinidad R. Martinezluis, age 22, died November 28 in Baqubah 
when his 5-ton vehicle rolled over and pinned him underwater. He was 
assigned to the Army's 201st Forward Support Battalion, 1st Infantry 
Division, Vilseck, Germany. He was from Los Angeles, CA.
  LCpl Blake A. Magaoay, age 20, died November 29 as a result of enemy 
action in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored 
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SPC Sergio R. Diazvarela, age 21, died November 24 in Ar Ramadi when 
an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol.
  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd 
Brigade Combat Team, Camp Howze, Korea. He was from Lomita, CA.
  CPL Bryan S. Wilson, age 22, died December 1 as result of a non-
hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province. He was assigned to 2nd 
Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, 
CA.
  Mr. President, 349 soldiers who were either from California or based 
in California have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. I 
pray for these young Americans and their families.
  I would also like to pay tribute to the 25 soldiers from or based in 
California who have died while serving our country in Operation 
Enduring Freedom.
  SSG Brian C. Prosser, age 28, was killed December 5, 2001 by ordnance 
from a B-52 aircraft north of Kandahar, Afghanistan.
  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort 
Campbell, KY. He was from Panorama City, CA.
  SGT Jeannette L. Winters, age 25, was killed January 9, 2002 as 
result of a KC-130/R aircraft crash in Pakistan.
  She was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 
whose home base is the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, CA.
  LCpl Bryan P. Bertrand, age 23, was killed January 9, 2002 as result 
of a KC-130/R aircraft crash in Pakistan.
  He was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 
whose home base is the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, CA.
  SGT Nathan P. Hays, age 21, was killed January 9, 2002 as result of a 
KC-130/R aircraft crash in Pakistan.
  He was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 
whose home base is the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, CA.
  SSG Scott N. Germosen, age 37, was killed January 9, 2002 as result 
of a KC-130/R aircraft crash in Pakistan.
  He was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 
whose home base is the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, CA.
  GySgt Stephen L. Bryson, age 35, was killed January 9, 2002 as result 
of a KC-130/R aircraft crash in Pakistan.
  He was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 
whose home base is the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, CA.
  CPT Daniel G. McCollum, age 29, was killed January 9, 2002 as result 
of a KC-130/R aircraft crash in Pakistan.
  He was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 
whose home base is the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, CA.
  CPT Matthew W. Bancroft, age 29, was killed January 9, 2002 as result 
of a KC-130/R aircraft crash in Pakistan.
  He was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 
whose home base is the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, CA. He was 
from Shasta, CA.
  SSG Dwight J. Morgan, age 24, was killed January 20, 2002 when a 
Marine CH-53E crashed in a remote region south of Bagram in Northern 
Afghanistan.
  He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 3rd Marine 
Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, CA. He was from 
Mendocino, CA.
  SSG Walter F. Cohee, III, age 26, was killed January 20, 2002 when a 
Marine CH-53E crashed in a remote region south of Bagram in Northern 
Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, CA.
  SrA Jason D. Cunningham, age 26, was killed in action March 4, 2002 
in eastern Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda. He was assigned to 
38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, GA. He was from Camarillo, 
CA.
  Petty Officer 1st Class Neil C. Roberts, age 32, was killed in action 
March 4, 2002 in eastern Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda.
  He was assigned to the Navy SEALs, Little Creek Naval Amphibious 
Base, Norfolk-Virginia Beach. He was from Woodland, CA.
  SGT Jamie O. Maugans, age 27, was killed April 15, 2002 in Qandahar, 
Afghanistan as the result of an explosion during explosive clearing 
operations. He was assigned to the 710th Explosive Ordnance Detachment, 
San Diego, CA.
  SSG Justin J. Galewski, age 28, was killed April 15, 2002 in 
Qandahar, Afghanistan as the result of an explosion during explosive 
clearing operations. He was assigned to the 710th Explosive Ordnance 
Detachment, San Diego, CA.
  SSG Brian T. Craig, age 27, was killed April 15, 2002 in Qandahar, 
Afghanistan as the result of an explosion during explosive clearing 
operations. He was assigned to the 710th Explosive Ordnance Detachment, 
San Diego, CA.
  TSSgt Sean M. Corlew, age 37, was killed June 12, 2002 in the crash 
of a U.S. Air Force MC-130H in the Paktika province of Afghanistan. He 
was assigned to the Air Force's 16th Special Operations Wing at 
Hurlburt Field, FL. He was from Thousand Oaks, CA.
  LCpl Antonio J. Sledd, age 20, was killed October 8, 2002 in Kuwait. 
He died from wounds received in action while participating in an urban 
exercise as part of Exercise Eager Mace.
  He was assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th 
Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SGT Gregory M. Frampton, age 37, died January 30, 2003 when a MH-60L 
Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training mission in Bagram.
  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation 
Regiment, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Fresno, CA.
  PFC James R. Dillon, Jr., age 19, died March 13, 2003 in Kuwait as 
the result of a gunshot wound. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored 
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground 
Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  1st Class Petty Officer Thomas E. Retzer, age 30, died of wounds 
received in action June 25, 2003 in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 
Navy SEALs at Virginia Beach, VA. He was from San Diego, CA.
  SFC Mitchell A. Lane, age 34, died August 29, 2003 of injuries 
received from a fall while conducting a fast rope infiltration into a 
known enemy cave complex in Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd 
Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC. He was from 
Lompoc, CA.
  Petty Officer 2nd Class Darrell Jones, age 22, died October 8, 2003 
of non-combat related injuries in the United Arab Emirates. He was 
assigned to the USS Higgins, San Diego, CA.
  SPC Adam G. Kinser, age 21, was killed January 29, 2004, west of 
Ghazni, Afghanistan when he was working around a weapons cache and 
there was an explosion.
  He was assigned to the 304th Psychological Operations Company, U.S. 
Army Reserve, Sacramento, CA. He was from Rio Vista, CA.
  CPL Billy Gomez, age 25, died October 27, 2004 in Landstuhl, Germany

[[Page S12037]]

from injuries sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive 
device in Naka, Afghanistan on October 20.
  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th 
Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, HA. He was from Perris, 
CA.
  CPL Dale E. Fracker, Jr., age 23, died on November 24 in Deh Rawod, 
Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his 
unit.
  He was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 
25th Light Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HA. He was from Apple 
Valley, CA.
  Mr. President, 25 soldiers who were either from California or based 
in California have been killed while serving our country in Operation 
Enduring Freedom. I pray for these Americans and their families.

                          ____________________