U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq

As of Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at least 4,375 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Since the start of U.S. military operations in Iraq, 31,648 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department’s weekly tally.

Multimedia

U.S. Troop Casualties in Iraq

Latest identification:

None

U.S. Military Deaths in Afghanistan

As of Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at least 901 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department.

Latest identifications:

Army Staff Sgt. Rusty H. Christian, 24, Greenville, Tenn., died Jan. 28, 2010 in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Army Spc. Marc P. Decoteau, 19, Waterville Valley, N.H., died Jan. 29, 2010 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations. He was assigned to the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Capt. David J. Thompson, 39, Hooker, Okla., died Jan. 29, 2010 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Michael L. Freeman Jr., 21, Fayetteville, Pa., died Feb. 1, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Shpee Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Pfc. Zachary G. Lovejoy, 20, Albuquerque, N.M., died Feb. 2, 2010 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Zabul province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Capt. Daniel Whitten, 28, Grimes, Iowa, died Feb. 2, 2010 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Zabul province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Sgt. 1st Class David J. Hartman, 27, Okinawa, Japan, died Feb. 3, 2010 in Timagara, Pakistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Sluss-Tiller, 35, Callettsburg, Ky., died Feb. 3, 2010 in Timagara, Pakistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Staff Sgt. Mark A. Stets, 39, El Cajon, Calif., died Feb. 3, 2010 in Timagara, Pakistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Army Sgt. Dillon B. Foxx, 22, Traverse City, Mich., died Feb. 5, 2010 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

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Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., dies at 77

Vietnam veteran, lawmaker was outspoken critic of Iraq war

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., was a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In 2006, she endorsed him to become majority leader, but Democratic caucus members ultimately chose another lawmaker for the job. (Photo credit: Win McNamee / Getty Images file)

Feb. 8, 2010

WASHINGTON — Rep. John Murtha, a retired Marine Corps officer who became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress and later an outspoken and influential critic of the Iraq War, died Monday. He was 77.

The Pennsylvania Democrat had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. He died at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., spokesman Matthew Mazonkey said.

Murtha was an officer in the Marine Reserves when he was elected in 1974. Ethical questions often shadowed his congressional service, but he was best known for being among Congress’ most hawkish Democrats. He wielded considerable clout for two decades as the ranking Democrat on the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending.

Murtha voted in 2002 to authorize President George W. Bush to use military force in Iraq, but his growing frustration over the administration’s handling of the war prompted him in November 2005 to call for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.

“The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion,” he said.

Video

Murtha: ‘War is not going as advertised’ (NBC News, Nov. 17, 2005) — Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) says in a news conference that U.S. troops are becoming prime targets in Iraq and that the country “can not be won militarily.” (31:52)

Murtha’s opposition to the Iraq war rattled Washington, where the tall, gruff-mannered congressman enjoyed bipartisan respect for his work on military issues. On Capitol Hill, Murtha was seen as speaking for those in uniform when it came to military matters. …

Born June 17, 1932, John Patrick Murtha delivered newspapers and worked at a gas station before graduating from Ramsay High School in Mount Pleasant, Pa.

Military service was in Murtha’s blood. He said his great-grandfather served in the Civil War, his father and three uncles in World War II, and his brothers in the Marine Corps.

He left Washington and Jefferson College in 1952 to join the Marines, where he rose through the ranks to become a drill instructor at Parris Island, S.C., and later served in the 2nd Marine Division.

Murtha moved back to Johnstown and remained with the Marine Reserves until he volunteered to go to Vietnam. He served as an intelligence officer there from 1966 to 1967 and received a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Video

Remembering Rep. John Murtha (NBC Nightly News, Feb. 8, 2010) — Rep. John Murtha, one of the most powerful members of Congress and Pennsylvania’s longest-serving congressmen, died Tuesday from complications following gallbladder surgery. He was 77. (00:43)

After his discharge from the Marines, Murtha ran a small business in Johnstown. He went to the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill of rights, graduating in 1962 with a degree in economics.

He served in the Pennsylvania House in Harrisburg from 1969 until he was elected to Congress in a special election in 1974. In 1990, he retired from the Marine Reserves as a colonel.

“Ever since I was a young boy, I had two goals in life — I wanted to be a colonel in the Marine Corps and a member of Congress,” Murtha wrote in his 2004 book, “From Vietnam to 9/11.”

Critic of war

Video

Murtha calls for immediate Iraq pullout (MSNBC, Nov. 17, 2005) — Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., an influential Democratic congressman, wants U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq ‘immediately.’ (02:42)

Murtha’s criticism of the Iraq war intensified in 2006, when he accused Marines of murdering Iraqi civilians “in cold blood” at Haditha, Iraq, after one Marine died and two were wounded by a roadside bomb.

Critics said Murtha unfairly held the Marines responsible before an investigation was concluded and fueled enemy retaliation. He said that the war couldn’t be won militarily and that such incidents dimmed the prospect for a political solution.

“This is the kind of war you have to win the hearts and minds of the people,” Murtha said. “And we’re set back every time something like this happens.” …

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 101-10
February 8, 2010

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13293
Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1

Statement by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on the Death of Congressman Jack Murtha

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Murtha. America has lost a true patriot who served his country faithfully first in uniform as a decorated combat Marine, and then as an elected representative.

I’ve known Jack and worked with him for more than two decades, starting back in the Reagan administration when I was at CIA. I will always remember and be grateful for Congressman Murtha’s personal efforts on behalf of the Afghan resistance fighting the Soviets — efforts that helped bring about the end of the Cold War.

In our dealings over the years, Jack and I did not always agree, but I always respected his candor, and knew that he cared deeply about the men and women of America’s military and intelligence community. My condolences to Joyce and the rest of the Murtha family.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 102-10
February 9, 2010

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13294
Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1

Statement on the Death of Congressman John Murtha by Secretary of the Army John McHugh

I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Congressman John Murtha. His unwavering devotion to our men and women in uniform strengthened our nation and will be his legacy.

Although most will remember Congressman Murtha for his public service — first in the Marine Corps and then in Congress — I will remember him as someone who cared deeply for our men and women in uniform.

When I was a newly elected member of Congress, Jack set aside partisan politics and joined me to visit Fort Drum and the men and women of the 10th Mountain Division.

During my nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, I often worked with Jack to bring the necessary resources to our troops. I’m grateful for the example he set, always putting the interests of the military ahead of his own and never losing sight of the individual service member for whom he felt a deep sense of gratitude.

The Army — the entire military — has lost one of its most steadfast advocates in Congressman Murtha. His legacy of devotion to the defense of our nation lives on in those he inspired and in those for whom he dedicated his life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

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4/24/10 Update

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 329-10
April 23, 2010

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13478
Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1

Navy Names Amphibious Ship for Congressman John Murtha

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the selection of the USS John P. Murtha as the name of the 10th San Antonio class Amphibious Transport Dock ship. Mabus made the announcement at John P. Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County airport in Johnstown, Pa.

The USS John P. Murtha honors the late U.S. representative and Marine who dedicated his life to serving his country. Murtha served a distinguished 37 years in the Marine Corps and received the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his service in the Vietnam War, retiring as a colonel in 1990.

In his public life, Murtha served the people of Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District from 1974 until his death in 2010. In his position as the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, he oversaw funding issues for the Department of Defense, including the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and the intelligence community.

“Both in uniform and in the halls of Congress, Chairman Murtha dedicated his life to serving his country both in the Marine Corps and Congress. His unwavering support of our sailors and Marines, and in particular our wounded warriors, was well known and deeply appreciated,” said Mabus.

The future USS John P. Murtha will be used to transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies, by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft or expeditionary fighting vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. It will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century.

The amphibious transport dock ship will be 684 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 105 feet, displace approximately 25,000 tons, and will make speed in excess of 22 knots. It will be crewed by 363 personnel and embark an additional 700 Marines.

Additional information about San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ships is available online at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=600&ct=4.

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1/28/11 Update

Where’s the Afghanistan War’s John Murtha?
(Amanda Terkel, Huffington Post, Jan. 28, 2011)

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — February 9, 2009

Coleman v. Franken Senate Trial

One-year retrospective: One year ago today, I featured live streaming video of the trial to decide the winner of the Coleman-Franken contest for U.S. Senate.