16 Guardsmen Die While Serving in Cuba and Iraq

National Guard, Jun 2004

Sixteen Army National Guardsmen died supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom overseas in April, according to Defense Department casualty reporting.

Sgt. 1st Class William W Labadie Jr., 45, of Bauxite, Ark., died April 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his camp was attacked by individuals using rockets and small arms lire.

Labadie was a member of the Arkansas Army Guard's Troop E, 151st Cavalry Squadron, 39th Infantry Brigade from Marianna, Ark.

Sgt. Felix M. Delgreco, 22, of Simsbury, Conn., died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device and small arms fire struck his mounted patrol.

Delgreco was a member of the Connecticut Army Guard's 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry from New Haven, Conn.

Spc. Michelle M. Witmer, 20, of New Berlin, Wis., died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when she became involved in an improvised explosive device and small arms attack.

Witmer is the first National Guard female killed in action (NATIONAL GUARO May 2004, page 35). She was a member of the Wisconsin Army Guard's 32nd Military Police Company horn Milwaukee.

Pfc. Nathan E Brown, 21, of South Glens Falls, N.Y., died April 1.1 in Samarra, Iraq, when his patrol was ambushed.

Brown was a member of the New York Army Guard's 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry from Glens Falls, N.Y.

Spc. Dennis B. Morgan, 22, of Valentine, Neb., died April 17 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, when his armored personnel carrier hit an improvised explosive device.

Morgan was a member oi the South Dakota Army Guard's 153rd Engineer Battalion from Winner, S.D.

1st Lt. Robert L. Henderson, II, 33, of Alvaton, Ky., died April 17 in, Diwaniyah, Iraq, when his convoy tried to avoid an overturned trailer and came under small arms attack.

Henderson was a member of the Kentucky Army Guard's Detachment 1, 2123rd Transportation Company from Owensboro, Ky.

Master Sgt. Herbert R. Claunch, 58, of Wetumpka, Ala., died April 18 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after collapsing on the floor in his quarters.

Claunch was a member of the Alabama Army Guard's 217th Military Police Company from Prattville, Ala.

Spc. Christopher D. Gelineau, 23, of Portland, Maine, died April 20 in Mosul, Iraq, when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Gelineau was a member of the Maine Army Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion from Gardiner, Maine.

Staff Sgt. Gory W Brooks, 32, of Philip, S.D., died April 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries.

Brooks was a member of the South Dakota Army Guard's 153rd Engineer Battalion from Wagner, S.D.

Capt. Arthur E. Felder, 36, of Eewisville, Ark.; Chief Warrant Patrick W Kordsmeier, 49, of North Eittle Rock, Ark; Staff Sgt. Billy J. Orton, 41, of Humnoke, Ark.; and Staff Sgt. Stacey C. Brandon, 35, of Hazen, Ark. died on April 24 in TaJi, Iraq, when mortar rounds hit their camp.

The four were members of the Arkansas Army Guard's 39th Support Battalion from Hazen, Ark.

Sgt. Sherwood R. Baker, 30, of Plymouth, Pa., died April 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, in a large explosion while performing site security.

Baker was a member ol the Pennsylvania Army Guard's Company B, 2nd Battalion, 103rd Armor Division from Tamaqua, Pa.

Spc. Kenneth A. Melton, 30, of Westplains, Mo., died April 25 in Iraq when his military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device and he encountered small arms fire while traveling in a convoy from Baghdad.

Melton was a member of the Arkansas Army Guard's Company B, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Infantry Brigade from Fordyce, Ark.

Sgt. Landis W Garrison, 23, of Rapids City, 111., died April 29 in Abu Gharb, Iraq, of non-combat injuries.

Gamson was a member of the Illinois National Guard's 333rd Military Police Company from Freeport, 111.