AFGHANISTAN: American casualty identified

Spc. Estell L. Turner, 43, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Wednesday at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds caused by a roadside bomb June 28 in Malikheyl, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky.

AFGHANISTAN: 4 American casualties identified

The Defense Department identified three soldiers and a Marine who died in Afghanistan, where at least 537 American military personnel have lost their lives since 2001.

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Radamorales, 32, of Naranjito, Puerto Rico; Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons, 39, of Ashland, Mass.; and Sgt. James M. Treber, 24, of Imperial Beach, Calif., died Sunday in Khosrow-E Sofla from injuries sustained when their vehicle rolled into a canal. They were assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia, 28, of Houston died Thursday while supporting combat operations in Farah province. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.

*Read about the record number of U.S. and allied forces killed in June here.

AFGHANISTAN: 4 American casualties identified

The Defense Department has identified three soldiers who were killed Thursday when their convoy  was attacked with roadside bombs, gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades near  Forward Operating Base Shank in Lowgar province, Afghanistan. At least 537 U.S. service members have died in the war.

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, Mich.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Spc. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., were assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.

Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, of Goshen, Ind., was killed by a roadside bomb while on combat patrol Friday near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, N.C.

IRAQ: 10 American casualties identified

The Defense Department has identified seven soldiers and three Marines who were killed in Iraq, where at least 4,113 American service members have lost their lives.

Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, 22, of Lake Charles, La., died June 23 in Baghdad of gunshot wounds suffered during combat operations in Salman Pak, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
   
Spc. Joshua L. Plocica, 20, of Clarksville, Tenn., was killed by a roadside bomb Wednesday in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas.

Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez, 24, of San Diego;   Spc. Joel A. Taylor, 20, of Pinetown, N.C.; and       Pfc. James M. Yohn, 25, of Highspire, Pa., died Wednesday in Mosul, Iraq of wounds caused by a roadside bomb Tuesday. They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Hood, Texas.

Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett, 39, of Tucson, Ariz., who was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, Colo., and Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, of Willingboro, N.J., who was assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Green Bay, Wis., were killed by a bomb Tuesday in Baghdad.

Three Marines — Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, American Samoa;  Capt. Philip J. Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, N.Y.; and Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme, 23, of North Miami Beach, Fla. — died Thursday while supporting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

         

IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN: 'Sopranos' auction benefits the troops

Twenty-five outfits worn by actor James Gandolfini in his starring role in "The Sopranos" were auctioned this week in New York for $187,750, with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps Marines and soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The auction, held at Christie's, was Gandolfini's idea. Last year his production company, Attaboy Films, did a well-received documentary for HBO about wounded military personnel and their struggles. Gandolfini was the interviewer.

Of the auction items, the polo shirt, tank top and black pants worn by Gandolfini in the episode in which he was shot by his demented uncle Junior fetched the most: $43,750. The bathrobe worn by the faux mobster as he brought in the morning newspaper went for $13,750.

The troops are big fans of "The Sopranos." At the Marine-Army base outside Ramadi, Iraq, the shack that served as an after-hours joint is called the Bada Bing. It's exactly like the one in the HBO series, except it has no strippers, no booze, no gambling and no smoking. The weapons are real though.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

Photo: Actor James Gandolfini played Tony Soprano in the hit HBO series "The Sopranos." Credit: Associated Press

AFGHANISTAN: Marine casualty from Camp Pendleton

Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland, 25, of Labelle, Fla. died Wednesday while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced.  He was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ: American casualties identified

Army Spc. Ryan J. Connolly, 24, of Vacaville, Calif., died Tuesday in Khogyani, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck a suspected landmine, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany.

Army Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio, 30, of Cherry Hill, N.J., died Tuesday in Baghdad of gunshot wounds suffered during combat operations, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.

IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN: American casualties identified

The Defense Defense has identified a Los Angeles soldier killed in Iraq and four soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran, 30, of the Reseda neighborhood was killed by a roadside bomb Friday in Baqubah, Iraq, during combat operations. He was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. At least 4,109 U.S. service members have died since the Iraq war began in 2003.

A roadside bomb and gunfire killed four soldiers Saturday in Kandahar, Afghanistan:

Lt. Col. James J. Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md., who was assigned to a Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, Kan.

Spc. Anthony L. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, N.Y.; Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass.; and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, N.Y., who were assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y. At least 531 American military personnel have died since the Afghanistan war began in 2001.

*Read about increased insurgent attacks in Afghanistan here.

 

AFGHANISTAN: American casualty identified

Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, Texas, died Friday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. At least 532 U.S. service members have died since the war began in 2001.

AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ: American casualties identified

The Defense Department has announced the deaths of a sailor and two Marines during combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. At least 530 U.S. service members have died since the war began in 2001.

Navy Hospitalman Dustin Kelby Burnett, 19, of Ft. Mohave, Ariz., died Friday. He was assigned to 1st Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Capt. Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, of Lexington, Ky., and Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, of Bryant, Ind., died Thursday. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

* Read about runway ceremonies for fallen troops in Afghanistan here.

Army Spc. Jason N. Cox, 21, of Elyria, Ohio, died June 16 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds caused by a roadside bomb near Hillah, the Defense Department has announced. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C. At least 4,102 American military personnel have lost their lives since the Iraq war began in 2003.

IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN: 500 Californians dead in conflicts

The death of a Navy hospitalman in a rocket attack Wednesday brought the number of Californians killed since the wars began in Afghanistan and Iraq to 500.

The death of Marc A. Retmier, 19, of Hemet was announced Thursday by the Department of Defense. Along with Petty Officer First 1st Class Ross L. Toles III, 37, of Davison, Mich.,  Retmier died from wounds suffered during an attack in the northern Afghan province of Paktika.

He is one of seven Hemet residents who have been killed in the war. An athlete and motocross enthusiast, he described himself on a website devoted to motocross: “I believe that if we don’t have dreams then there is nothing to live for. Mine are in the making and to be accomplished in the time soon to come. Off to college in less then a year and into medicine to become a radiologist. I live for the nights I will never remember with the friends I will never forget. Playing sports & staying fit, keeping my mind alert and sharp for anything on the road ahead.”

Over the past 6 1/2 years, hundreds of Times obituaries have chronicled the lives of troops who have died in support of the conflicts. On Memorial Day, a database of California’s war dead was made available to the public, allowing people to search by name, hometown, high school and other facts.

Since then, more than 240 people have sent in remembrances and tributes to their friends and loved ones.
“He had the best heart of any person I have ever met in the military,” posted said Naomi C Nicoletti on in a June 13 post about of her “old friend” Sgt. 1st Class Luis E. Gutierrez-Rosales, who was killed in Iraq in July 2007.

“He would sit in a chair in the barracks after marches, and all of us who were hurt would line up,” she wrote. “He would fix blisters, bandage cuts and take the time to talk to each person one on one. He made every single person feel special and important. He was also the most playful person. On marches he would sneak off into the woods and then jump out and surprise people. He was always happy, always smiling, always singing.”

IRAQ: American casualties identified

The Defense Department has identified two soldiers who died June 11 in incidents unrelated to combat in Iraq, where at least 4,102 U.S. service members have lost their lives since the war began in 2003.
Pvt. Eugene D. M. Kanakaole, 19, of Maui, Hawaii, died in Balad. He was assigned to the 87th Engineer Company, 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Ft. Hood, Texas.
Sgt. 1st Class Gerard M. Reed, 40, of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., died in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 86th Combat Support Hospital, Ft. Campbell, Ky.

IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department has identified two Marines who died Wednesday in Iraq, where at least 4,101 military personnel have lost their lives since the war began in 2003.
Lance Cpl. Kelly E. C. Watters, 19, of Virginia Beach, Va. died from wounds suffered while supporting combat operations in Anbar province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Lance Cpl. Javier Perales Jr., 19, of San Elizario, Texas, died from a non-hostile incident in Anbar province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department has identified two soldiers killed in Iraq, where at least 4,099 U.S. military personnel have died since the war began in 2003.
Sgt. John D. Aragon, 22, of Antioch, Calif., was killed by a roadside bomb Thursday in Kadamiyah. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. Steve A. McCoy, 23, of Moultrie, Ga., died Tuesday at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered March 23 when his vehicle encountered a roadside bomb in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Ga.

IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department identified two soldiers killed in Iraq, where at least 4,096 American military personnel have died since the war began in 2003.

Staff Sgt. Tyler E. Pickett, 28, of Saratoga, Wyo., was killed by a roadside bomb Sunday in the Kirkuk area. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Ft. Drum, N.Y.
Spc. Thomas F. Duncan III, 21, of Rowlett, Texas, died Monday in Sinjar, Iraq, of wounds suffered in combat. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Lewis, Wash.

IRAQ: U.S. casualty identified

Sgt. 1st Class David R. Hurst, 31, of Ft. Sill, Okla., was killed by a roadside bomb Saturday in Baghdad, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Ft. Polk, La. Since the war began in 2003, at least 4,094 American service members have died.

IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department has identified three U.S. soldiers who died Wednesday in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their unit was attacked in Sharqat with guns and hand grenades. Sgt. Shane P. Duffy, 22, of Taunton, Mass., Spc. Jonathan D. A. Emard, 20, of Mesquite, Texas, and Sgt. Cody R. Legg, 23, of Escondido, Calif., were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Ft. Drum, N.Y. At least 4,094 American service members have died since the war began in 2003.

The Defense Department has identified two soldiers who were killed Thursday when the Kiowa helicopter they were in went down during a test flight at Kandahar Army Airfield in Afghanistan. Chief Warrant Officer James Carter, 42, of Alabama and Pfc. Andre D. McNair Jr., 20, of Fort Pierce, Fla., were assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky. At least 517 U.S. military personnel have died since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department identified two soldiers who were killed by a roadside bomb Tuesday in Zormat, Afghanistan:
Maj. Scott A. Hagerty, 41, of Stillwater, Okla., who was assigned to the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, Pasadena, Texas.
Pfc. Derek D. Holland, 20, of Wind Gap, Pa., who was assigned to the 228th Brigade Support Battalion, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Bethlehem, Pa.
At least 515 U.S. military personnel have been killed since the war began in 2001.

Pfc. Joshua E. Waltenbaugh, 19, of Ford City, Pa., died Tuesday in Taji, Iraq, of injuries unrelated to combat, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to the Army's 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Hood, Texas.
Since the war began in 2003, at least 4,092 American service members have died.

IRAQ: U.S. casualty identified

Spc. Quincy J. Green, 26, of El Paso died Monday in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries unrelated to combat, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to the Army's 601st Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, Kan. At least 4,090 American military personnel have died since the war began in 2003.

 

IRAQ: U.S. casualty identified

Army Spc. Christopher D. McCarthy, of Virginia Beach, Va., died Sunday at Forward Operating Base Ramadi in Iraq, the Defense Department announced. His death is under investigation. He was assigned to the U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint Reserve Unit, Norfolk, Va. At least 4,087 American military personnel have died since the war began in 2003.

AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department identified two soldiers who were killed by a roadside bomb Saturday in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.  Spc. James M. Finley, 21, of Lebanon, Mo., and  Pvt. Andrew J. Shields, 19, of Battleground, Wash., were assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany. At least 513 U.S. military personnel have died since the war began in 2001.

The Defense Department also identified a soldier and a Marine who died in Iraq, where at least 4,086 American troops have lost their lives since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Spc. Justin R. Mixon, 22, of Bogalusa, La., was killed by a roadside bomb Sunday in Baghdad. He was assigned to the Army's 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

Cpl. Christian S. Cotner, 20, of Waterbury, Conn., died Friday from a non-hostile incident in Anbar province.  He was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

    

AFGHANISTAN: U.S. casualty identified

Pfc. Chad M. Trimble, 29, of West Covina, Calif., died Wednesday near Gardez, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to the Army's 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky. At least 510 American military personnel have died since the war began in 2001.

IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department has identified several  American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. At least 4,084 U.S. military personnel have died since the Iraq war began, and at least 509 in the Afghan conflict:

Pfc. Kyle P. Norris, 22, of Zanesville, Ohio, died Friday in Balad, Iraq, from wounds caused by a roadside bomb on May 22 in Jurf as Sakhr, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Frank J. Gasper, 25, of Merced, Calif., died Sunday in Najaf, Iraq, of wounds caused by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, Ft. Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Blake W. Evans, 24, of Rockford, Ill., died Sunday in Iraq's Al Jazeera Desert of wounds caused by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene, 37, of Castleton, Vt., died Sunday in Baghdad from non-combat injuries. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Ga.
   
Spc. David L. Leimbach, 38, of Taylors, S.C., died Sunday near Bala Baluk, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with guns and rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry, South Carolina Army National Guard, Fountain Inn, S.C., and attached to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard.

Spc. Christopher Gathercole, 21, of Santa Rosa, Calif., died Monday in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of gunshot wounds. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Spc. Justin L. Buxbaum, 23, of South Portland, Maine, died Monday in Kushamond, Afghanistan, of non-combat injuries. He was assigned to the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Ft. Hood Texas.

AFGHANISTAN: U.S. casualty identified

1st Lt. Jeffrey F. Deprimo, 35, of Pittston, Pa., died Tuesday in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by a roadside bomb, the Defense Department announced.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Williamsport, Pa. At least 505 U.S. military personnel have died since the war began in 2001.

AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department  announced the deaths of a soldier and a Marine in Afghanistan, where at least 503 U.S. service members have died since the war began:

Army Master Sgt. Davy N. Weaver, 39, of Barnesville, Ga., died Sunday in Qalat, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Macon, Ga.

Marine Cpl. William J. L. Cooper, 22, of Eupora, Miss., died Monday while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Pvt. Branden P. Haunert, 21, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died Sunday in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds caused by a roadside bomb, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky. At least 4,079 U.S. military personnel have died since the Iraq war began.

ISRAEL: Shiites in Ashkelon?!

The city of Ashkelon has been in the headlines lately, and not for its pretty beaches. The city of 110,000 has sadly joined Israel's southern front line as rockets fired from the Gaza Strip improve in range and technology.

Last week, a rocket hit a shopping mall in city; the dozens of injured treated at the Barzilai Medical Center.

It turns out the hospital grounds contain a remarkably interesting bit of history: a site holy to certain Shiite Muslims, thousands of whom have come to pray there over the years. Ashkelon itself has 5,000 years of recorded history, but when the hospital was first built in 1961, nothing indicated that the hill out back was anything special.

IRAQ: U.S. casualty identified

Army Sgt. John K. Daggett, 21, of Phoenix, died Thursday in Halifax, Canada, of wounds suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle May 1 in Baghdad, the Defense Department has announced. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. At least 4,079 U.S. military personnel have died since the Iraq war began.

IRAQ: To feel normal again; warrior athletes compete in San Diego event

Army Sgt. Wallace Fanena, who lost his right arm and leg to a landmine in Kirkuk in September, was up early Sunday morning in San Diego.

Fanena, 25, was among 40-plus members of the Balboa Warrior Athlete Program at the Naval Medical Center San Diego to participate in the Navy's 22nd Original Bay Bridge Run/Walk from downtown across the Coronado Bay Bridge. A record 8,000-plus people made the jaunt.

The warrior athlete program incorporates athletics with rehabitation for military personnel injured in Iraq, Afghanistan or stateside. "Athletics rebuilds confidence," said medical center commander Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, who was among the runners.

The center's Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care program provides state-of-the-art care for the most severely injured, particularly for amputees.

At its height, the program was caring for 200-plus patients. Now, with a decrease in combat and greater use by the military of blast-resistant vehicles, the number has dropped to about 130.

That's given the program the chance to focus on post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, Hunter said.

Fanena was assigned to an Army unit from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, when he was wounded. He hopes to stay on active duty. Recently he went surfing at Del Mar as part of the warrior athlete program. For the bridge event he used a hand-crank bicycle, like other amputees.

"I have to do this to prove something to myself," Fanena said. "I hope to feel normal again."

-- Tony Perry

Photo: Army Sgt. Wallace Fanena prepares for the start of Sunday's 22nd Original Bay Bridge Run/Walk. Credit: Tony Perry/Los Angeles Times

IRAQ: U.S. casualty identified

Army Sgt. Victor M. Cota, 33, of Tucson, Ariz., died Wednesday in Baghdad of wounds suffered Tuesday when his vehicle encountered a roadside bomb in Kadamiyah, Iraq, the Defense Department has announced. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas. At least 4,077 U.S. military personnel have died since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department identified two soldiers who died in Iraq and one who died in Afghanistan. At least 4,076 American military personnel have died in Iraq and 501 in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, 24, of Bend, Ore., was killed by a roadside bomb Sunday in Baghdad. She was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Joseph A. Ford, 23, of Knox, Ind., died Saturday in Al Asad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, 76th Brigade Combat Team, Indiana National Guard, New Albany, Ind.

Pvt. Matthew W. Brown, 20, of Zelienople, Pa., died Sunday in Asadabad, Afghanistan, from injuries unrelated to combat. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, N.C.

IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department has announced the deaths of two soldiers in Afghanistan and three soldiers in Iraq. At least  500 American military personnel have died in the Afghan war and at least 4,075 in the Iraq war.

Pfc. Ara T. Deysie, 18, of Parker, Ariz., died Friday in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by a rocket-propelled grenade. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Isaac Palomarez, 26, of Loveland, Colo., died Friday in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, after his patrol was attacked with a roadside bomb, gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, Ky.

Pfc. Aaron J. Ward, 19, of San Jacinto, Calif., died Tuesday in Anbar province, Iraq, of gunshot wounds suffered during cordon and search operations. He was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Spc. Alex D. Gonzalez, 21, of Mission, Texas, died Tuesday in Mosul, Iraq, after his vehicle was attacked with gunfire and a rocket-propelled grenade. He was assigned to the 43rd Combat Engineer Company, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Hood, Texas.

Spc. Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, of Temecula, Calif., died Friday in Iskandariya, Iraq, of an injury unrelated to combat. She was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Ga.

IRAQ: U.S. casualty identified

Pvt. Corey L. Hicks, 22, of Glendale, Ariz., was killed Friday in Baghdad by a roadside bomb, the Defense Department has announced. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas.

IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department has announced the deaths of five soldiers in Iraq. At least 4,071 have died since the war began in March 2003.

Four were victims of roadside bombings Wednesday and Thursday in Baghdad: Spc. Jeffrey F. Nichols, 21, of Granite Shoals, Texas. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Ft. Polk, La. Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence D. Ezell, 30, of Portland, Texas. He was assigned to the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, Ft. Carson, Colo. Capt. Andrew. R. Pearson, 32, of Billings, Mont. and Spc. Ronald J. Tucker, 21, of Fountain, Colo. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas.

Staff Sgt. Chad A. Caldwell, 24, of Spokane, Wash., was killed Wednesday in Mosul during dismounted combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Hood, Texas.

IRAQ: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department on Thursday identified a Marine and two soldiers killed in Iraq. At least 4,065 Americans have died in the war.

Marine Sgt. Merlin German, 22 of New York, N.Y., died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from wounds suffered in combat in Iraq’s Anbar province, Iraq, on Feb. 22, 2005.  He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif., He was medically retired Sept. 28, 2007.

Army Staff Sgt. Bryan E. Bolander, 26, of Bakersfield, Calif., died Tuesday in Baghdad from wounds caused by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky.

Army  Staff Sgt. Clay A. Craig, 22, of Mesquite, Texas, died Tuesday in Baghdad from gunshot wounds suffered in combat. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky.

IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN: U.S. casualties identified

The Defense Department on Wednesday announced the deaths of several soldiers and an airman. At least 4,063 American military personnel have died in Iraq and at least 496 in Afghanistan, according to the independent website icasualties.org.

Pfc. Adam L. Marion, 26, of Mount Airy, N.C., died Monday when his Baghdad base was attacked with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 171st Engineer Company, North Carolina Army National Guard, Saint Pauls, N.C.

Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills, Fla., died Monday when his Baghdad base was attacked with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.

Sgt. Mark A. Stone, 22, of Buchanan Dam, Texas died Monday when his Baghdad base was attacked with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.

Pfc. William T. Dix, 32, of Culver City, Calif., died Sunday at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of non-combat injuries. He was assigned to the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, I Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Sgt. 1st Class David L. McDowell, 30, of Ramona, Calif., died Tuesday in Bastion, Afghanistan, of gunshot wounds. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Senior Airman Jonathan A. V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, Calif., died Tuesday near Bagram, Afghanistan, of roadside bomb wounds. He was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.