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Family Speaks About Cpl. Joseph Landry III

FORT LEWIS, Wash. - Joseph N. Landry Jr. and Karen Landry, parents of
Cpl. Joseph Landry III, release the following statement for news media
use:

"Our son, Cpl. Joseph N. Landry III, volunteered to serve his country,
following in the footsteps of his father, grandfathers, and uncles. Joey
made the ultimate sacrifice, with honor and duty, to the country he
loved. Joey was a very determined man. When he set his mind on
something, he would do anything in his power to achieve it. He was not
the fastest runner, but he would never quit the race.

Our son was a true American Hero. Before going to Iraq, he told an aunt
that he would take a bullet for a family man so that man could return
home.

Joey's best friend was his youngest brother, Chris. They spent many
hours playing video games together. We will forever miss our son, but we
know he is standing tall and proud in heaven."

Fort Lewis Kids Speak Out on Iraqis That Killed Thier Dads

The Seattle PI has a report on local kids dealing with the grief of war.

Soldiers Die

(Dod News) - Cpl. Graham M. McMahon, 22, of Corvallis, Ore., died Sept. 19 in Balad, Iraq, from a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Pfc. Luigi Marciante Jr., 25, of Elizabeth, N.J., died Sept. 20 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Fort Lewis Native Working EOD

Spc. Dennis Speek, who calls Fort Lewis home, is working in Iraq with robots and bombs. Click here.

First Sgt. Duncan's Rescue

Renowned artist, Angie Okamoto-Ong, painted a picture of Ewald’s A10 prior to it’s demise (right). Upon hearing about the plane being shot down and the rescue efforts the artist gave print #1 to Ewald and #2 to 1SG Duncan. 1SG Duncan is holding a signed picture from Maj. Ewald thanking him for his expedient rescue effort.

By 2LT Danielle Johnson

As the 14th Engineer Battalion at Fort Lewis prepares for their National Training Center rotation, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) 1SG James Duncan has placed a special emphasis on the training his company will receive. 1SG Duncan, a seasoned veteran of being the senior ranking NCO of a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, is well versed in taking care of soldiers of diverse mission backgrounds. Many of these soldiers may think that their missions will only revolve around their specialties, but this First Sergeant wants to ensure all of them are ready to answer the call of duty.

During OIF I, 1SG Duncan was the HHC First Sergeant in the 54th Engineer Battalion. His unit deployed from Bamberg, Germany, in February 2003. His company was tasked with an array of missions, but one remains more resilient than the others. The morning of April 8th, 2003, started off as auspiciously as any day could in Baghdad. His unit was on its second day of clearing a chemical compound south of the Baghdad International Airport. While 1SG Duncan was checking up on his soldiers, without warning, the walls of the compound trembled and a roar echoed throughout the complex.

A10 planes in the area were finishing a close air support mission over Baghdad when an Iraqi surface-to-air missile struck Air Force Maj Jim Ewald’s plane. As 1SG Duncan raced outside, he could see the Maj Ewald landing less than 1000 meters away. He and his company commander they decided to take a handful of soldiers with them to rescue the downed pilot and secure the aircraft.

No more than 15 minutes later, 1SG Duncan’s team arrived on scene. Since Maj Ewald thought he landed in a hot zone, he took defensive measures and hid in a small canal. 1SG Duncan’s driver, SPC Randolph, had to coax the pilot out of his hiding spot by shouting, “Hey, pilot dude. Come out. We’re Americans.” The team provided Ewald with reassurance and basic first aid as they rushed him back to the logistics and support area in the rear. This rescue was described in the book Thunder Run by David Zucchino, but in the book 1SG Duncan and SPC Randolph we only identified as American engineers

Thanks to the quick reaction time of 1SG Duncan and his team Maj Ewald wasn’t hesitant about returning to duty. Less than three days later, Maj Ewald joined back up with his squadron and continued with his mission.

Since the rescue, 1SG Duncan has been reminded of his and the actions of his soldiers. After hearing about the plane being shot down, artist Angie Okamoto-Ong, sent Maj Ewald print #1 of her painting, “And Hell’s Comin’ With Me.” Knowing that 1SG Duncan was imperative to his rescue, she presented him print #2. Maj Ewald has since signed 1SG Duncan’s print as a gesture of his gratitude. He wrote, “Thanks! For having one of your better days on one that was not for me.”

Besides the close contact 1SG Duncan keeps with Ms. Okamoto-Ong and Maj Ewald, the spontaneity of this mission keeps the rescue vivid in 1SG Duncan’s mind, but it’s the men who responded that keeps it close to his heart. Some people tend to generalize missions thinking that only the infantry conducts rescue missions, but as we know all too well, the battlefield is changing. 1SG Duncan believes that “regardless of the fact if you’re a cook or a mechanic, you’re a soldier first.” While this may seem daunting for the average soldier this seasoned first sergeant reassures us that it wasn’t a decision whether or not to rescue Maj Ewald. The actions of his men were not for glory, but merely out of instinct. Regardless, the actions of his company were the epitome of the Warrior Ethos and the Army Values.

62nd Doing "Good" in Iraq

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bryan, civil affairs officer, 62nd Medical Brigade, talks to Iraqis during a cooperative medical engagement held near Camp Victory on Aug. 24. Bryan, a native of Osceola, Neb., helped coordinate the Iraqi-led operation that saw over 500 patients from nearby Iraqi Family Village.

By Army Spc. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Iraq and U.S. forces sent a message to local Iraqis during a cooperative medical engagement held near Camp Victory Aug. 24.

The CME targeted Iraqis living in nearby Iraqi Family Village and was held by Task Force Vigilant, Task Force 62, a medical brigade from Fort Lewis, Wash. and 210th Brigade Support Battalion, along with other units provided medical care.

“The Soldiers of Task Force Vigilant can be very proud of their efforts in setting the conditions under which over 20 Iraqi doctors, dentists, and medics could successfully treat over 600 local residents,” said Army Maj. Celestino Perez, commander of TF Vigilant.

“This type of mission is important in being able to rebuild a bridge between the Iraqi army and U.S. Army from one side with the Iraqi civilians on the other side,” said Brig. Gen. Mahde, surgeon, Iraqi Ground Forces Command. “Through the good cooperation of many American units and the (IGFC), we are able to provide good healthcare to all the people of Iraqi Family Village.”

Mahde was one of several doctors on site providing medical care to patients. According to Army Col. Patrick Sargent, commander, TF 62, the operation was led by the Iraqis with the United States playing a smaller role as coordinators.

“The interesting thing about this is we actually have Iraqi army physicians and some physicians from the Ministry of Health supporting this operation,” Sargent said. “They are in the lead. We just provided the location and security.”

Doctors and dentists worked diligently throughout the day, seeing more than 500 patients and performing 27 dental operations. In addition to receiving medical care, each villager departed with goods – from bookbags and school supplies for the kids to clothing and hygiene items for the adults.

“There are a lot families here who don’t have jobs and can’t afford to purchase many items, so they came here,” chief of IFV, Yahya Murad Mahmood, said

Mahde said he believes the CME and future operations will do more than provide a quick fix to the Iraqis’ short term needs.

“Future Iraqi endeavors like this operation will move us ever closer to a strong, unified Iraq,” said Perez.

Blackhawk Crew Named

The Department of Defense announced the death of 4 soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Aug. 22 in Multaka, Iraq, of injuries suffered when their helicopter crashed.

Killed were the following soldiers assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.:

Capt. Corry P. Tyler, 29, of Georgia.

Chief Warrant Officer Paul J. Flynn, 28, of Whitsett, N.C.

Sgt. Matthew L. Tallman, 30, of Groveland, Calif.

Spc. Rickey L. Bell, 21, of Caruthersville, Mo.

62nd Medical in Iraq

Post medical brigade takes charge in Iraq

By Capt. Heath Steele
62nd Medical Brigade

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq — The 3rd Medical Command, from Fort Gillem, Ga., transferred responsibilities as the commanding medical unit in Iraq to the 62nd Medical Brigade, during a ceremony Aug. 15 at Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory.

The 3rd Medical Command, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ronald D. Silverman, cased its colors and passed authority to Col. Patrick D. Sargent and the Soldiers of the 62nd Med. Bde.

The ceremony ended a yearlong deployment for the 3rd Medical Command and marked the beginning of a 15-month deployment for the 62nd.

Silverman welcomed the incoming unit by saying, “You have the skill and the expertise to excel and I know that you will. We always strive to treat each patient as though they were our own son and daughter.”

One of the main roles for the 62nd Med. Bde. is to work in conjunction with the government of Iraq to assist in developing and sustaining a self-reliant health care system that provides a full range of health care services.

The 62nd Med. Bde. is now responsible for more than 3,500 Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen stationed throughout Iraq as they provide medical care and support to more than 160,000 U.S., coalition and Iraqi forces and more than 120,000 civilians.

The brigade shoulders this responsibility through the seven level-III hospitals that provide advanced medical care and two multifunction medical battalions that allow the brigade to support a variety of health care needs ranging from severe traumas, combat stress control, dental care, veterinary services, blood collection and distribution and disease control.

Maj. Gen. James Simmons, deputy commanding general of MultiNational Corps-Iraq, addressed the audience of more than 150 U.S., coalition and Iraqi military and government members.

“As a Soldier who has personally experienced the superb medical care of both the 28th and 332nd and the medical evacuation process, I can attest to the outstanding care provided by our medical professionals,” Simmons said.

Sargent highlighted the nature of the relationship between Soldiers and medical professionals in Iraq during his opening remarks to the more than 150 audience members.

“As the Medical Task Force commander, I am committed to honoring the sacred trust that exists between the medical and tactical unit commander, providing world-class health care for injured and wounded Soldiers,” said Sargent.

“The soul of the Army Medical Department revolves around the medic, who is a symbol of strength for the warriors, hope for the wounded and comfort for the dying,” Sargent said.

The 62nd Med. Bde. is entering its third deployment to Southwest Asia since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is the first time the brigade has been given the overall mission of responsibility for the care and well-being of troops across the country. “The next 15 months will be very challenging,” said Sargent. “We will face adversity and danger; however, I am confident we will prevail in our core mission of preserving the lives of America’s and Iraq’s most precious assets—their sons and daughters.”

Sargent also made special note of the complex nature of the medical mission in Iraq.

“Coalition and Iraqi forces are conducting simultaneous, distributed, and continuous tactical and operational missions throughout Iraq,” said Sargent. “I am pleased to report the 62nd Medical Brigade is trained, manned, and equipped to support these complex operations.”

The attendees of the ceremony included Gen. David Petraeus, commander of Multi National Forces-Iraq, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of Multi National Corps-Iraq, Acting Minister of Health and Minister of Immigration and Migration, Dr. Abdul-Samad Raham Sultan and senior division level commanders.

Update On Blackhawk Crash

Some families are already announcing the names of those killed in Wednesday's crash. Click here for an update.

Four Fort Lewis Soldiers in Iraq Helicopter Crash

News organizations are reporting that four Fort Lewis soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq. Click here.