NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense



No. 1274-05

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec 09, 2005

Media Contact: (703)697-5131

Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711



DoD Identifies Marine Corps Casualty





            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was

supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.



              Cpl. Joseph P. Bier, 22, of Centralia, Wash., died Dec. 7 from an

improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces

in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st

Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.  During

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Bier's unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine

Expeditionary Force (Forward).

             Media with questions about this Marine can call the Twentynine Palms

public affairs office at (760) 830-6213.





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NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense



No. 1276-05

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec 09, 2005

Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000

Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711



DoD Identifies Army Casualty





The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting

Operation Iraqi Freedom.







            Sgt. Michael C. Taylor, 23, of Hockley, Texas, died in Balad, Iraq, on

Dec. 7, when an improvised expolsive device detonated near his Heavy Expanded

Mobility Tactical Truck while his unit was conducting combat operations.  Taylor

was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery, 214th Field Artillery

Brigade, III Corps Artillery, Fort Sill, Okla.





             For further information related to this release, contact Army Public

Affairs at (703) 692-2000.



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NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense



No. 1277-05

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec 09, 2005

Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000

Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711



DoD Identifies Army Casualty





            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who

was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.







            1st Lt. Kevin J. Smith, 28, of Brandon, Fla., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on

Dec. 8, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.  Smith was

assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd

Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.





             For further information related to this release, contact Army Public

Affairs at (703) 692-2000.



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