In Memoriam

The Defense Department last week identified the following U.S. military personnel killed in Afghanistan and Iraq:

Cory J. Bertrand, 18, of Center, Texas; specialist, Army. Bertrand was one of three soldiers killed Tuesday in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

Michael K. Clark, 24, of Sacramento; sergeant, Army. Clark died Oct. 7 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he encountered small-arms fire while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson, Colo.

Scott G. Dimond, 39, of Franklin, N.H.; private first class, Army National Guard. Dimond died Monday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device and his patrol was engaged in a small-arms fire attack. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), New Hampshire Army National Guard in Milford, N.H. 

Reuben M. Fernandez III, 22, of Abilene, Texas; sergeant, Army. Fernandez died Oct. 11 of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Majar Al Kabir, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

Stephen R. Fortunato, 25, of Danvers, Mass.; specialist, Army. Fortunato was one of three soldiers killed Tuesday in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

Geoffrey G. Johnson, 28, of Lubbock, Texas; specialist, Army. Johnson died Oct. 12 of injuries sustained from a non-combat-related incident in Baghdad. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

Christopher A. McCraw, 23, of Columbia, Miss.; private first class, Army. McCraw died Tuesday in Baghdad of wounds suffered when he encountered small-arms fire while on dismounted patrol in Nasar Wa Salam. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Preston R. Medley, 23, of Baker, Fla.; sergeant, Army. Medley was one of three soldiers killed Tuesday in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

John M. Penich, 25, of Beach Park, Ill.; sergeant, Army. Penich died Thursday in Karangol Village, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from indirect fire, a military term that usually refers to mortar or other artillery fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.