March 14 to 20
2004


March 17


One Marine, Two soldiers killed in pair of attacks

The Associated Press and Reuters

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Mortars fired at a U.S. base near Baghdad killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded six others, the military said today. And in a separate attack, a Marine was killed and three others wounded last night in a mortar attack in Qusayba near the Syrian border. The attack on the Logistics Base Seitz, home to the 13th Corps Support Command, in the town of Balad also occurred yesterday. One of the slain Americans died instantly at the base; the second died later in a combat-support hospital, the statement said. Two of the wounded were also in the hospital. The four others were treated at a local military base and returned to duty. U.S. soldiers from the 1st Armored Division responded to the attack and apprehended occupants of a vehicle fleeing the area, the statement said without elaborating.

March 18


The Department of Defense announced on March 19 the death on March 18 of two Marines as a result of enemy action in Al Qaim, Iraq. They were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Brandon C. Smith, 20, of Washington, Ark.

Pfc. Ricky A. Morris Jr., 20, of Lubbock, Texas.

Both Marines were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Pfc. Brandon C. Smith, USMC

Anniston Star -- Fayetteville, Arkansas -- At 16, Brandon C. Smith knew he wanted to join the Marines, but his father wouldn't give the teenager his permission. So Smith waited, enlisting in September 2003. "He was stubborn, like his granddad," Gordon Smith said of his son. "He made up his mind years ago that he was going into the Marines." The 20-year-old Marine Pfc. from Fayetteville, Ark., was trying to help comrades under attack when he was killed by mortar fire March 18, 2004, in Qaim, Iraq. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms, Calif. The Marine made a point of spending time with his friends, choosing jobs that allowed him to work with his buddies. "He was more outgoing and spontaneous around his friends," Gordon Smith said. Brandon Smith was driven to succeed, his father said. "He wanted to be the best, and the Marines were the best," Gordon Smith said. The Marine planned to attend college and become an officer.

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Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Marine Corps Pfc. Brandon Clinton Smith, who grew up in Fayetteville and was killed last week in Iraq, was honored Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith, 20, died on March 18 when his Humvee ran over a land mine near Al Qaim. He was on his way to help fellow troops under enemy fire, according to news reports. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, saluted the Arkansan in a short speech to lawmakers. "Brandon selflessly put himself in harm's way, serving his country so that future generations can live in a world free of terror," Boozman said. Smith served with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. He was based in Twentynine Palms, Calif. "When Brandon joined the Marines, he told his friend that he had found his life's calling," Boozman said. Smith lost 80 pounds by running laps at Asbell Park and lifting weights to get in shape for Marine boot camp, Boozman noted. Smith "made the ultimate sacrifice for his country," Boozman said. "He is a true American hero." Boozman quoted Smith's father, Gordon, as saying Brandon "was taking a stand and making a difference."

Pfc. Ricky A. Morris Jr., USMC

Associated Press -- LUBBOCK, Texas -- Marine Pfc. Ricky A. Morris Jr. was looking forward to coming home in September for a month. The 20-year-old, however, was killed Thursday in Iraq. His family learned the news the same day, Ricky A. Morris Sr. said. "He was my heart," said his mother, Dana Morris, her voice breaking with emotion. "He was a wonderful boy and will be missed by so many people." The Defense Department released Morris' name Friday, saying the young man died in Al Qaim, Iraq. Morris Sr. said he didn't know details of how his son died but was told it was during a hostile situation. The Marines had been in Iraq for about five weeks, his father said. "He was just really proud of doing what he was doing and looking forward to coming home in September" for a month, Dana Morris said. "He was a great young man and never caused us a single problem. "He loved his family and he was courteous and always had a very good sense of humor and attitude." In high school in Georgetown, just north of Austin, he was twice named all-district as a right tackle for the football team. He enlisted in the Marines soon after his June 2003 graduation, his parents said. The family moved to Lubbock about the time he left for boot camp at Camp Pendleton, the Marine base north of San Diego. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Twentynine Palms, Calif. The elder Morris said his son thought highly of his fellow Marines. "Everyone needs to remember the boys who are left over there," he said. "He was proud of being a Marine and serving his country."

March 18

Cpl Andrew D. Brownfield, USMC

The Department of Defense announced on March 19 the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Andrew D. Brownfield, 24, of Summit, Ohio, died March 18, due to wounds received from an enemy mortar attack at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

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3d Marine Aircraft Wing -- AL ASAD, Iraq -- Inside the hollow walls of an abandoned aircraft bunker, Marines and Sailors gathered Thursday, to pay tribute to Cpl. Andrew Brownfield, killed in action here March 18 in the Al Anbar Province of Western Iraq. "Andy lived to make other people smile," said Cpl. Stephen S. O'Rourke, Brownfield's friend and fellow aviation ordnance systems technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, during his tearful memorial. Brownfield arrived in country approximately one month ago. His unit was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. MWSS-374 is based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. "Corporal Brownfield was an outstanding ordnanceman and truly a professional Marine," said Lt. Col. Peter L. Bowling, MALS-16 commanding officer of the 24-year-old Summit, Ohio, native."He always knew the right thing to do and never faltered in his morals to make the right decision. He always volunteered for the tough assignments and was totally dedicated to his fellow ordnance Marines and the Corps." Col. Stuart Knoll, MAG-16 commanding officer and honored guest, said in an earlier interview, "I know these things happen, but it is never easy for fellow Marines and Sailors." Many in the group had tears in their eyes and nodded in agreement as Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, commanding general, 3rd MAW, addressed the group and said in closing, "None of us joined to give our lives ... but there are some things that are more important than life itself." "Corporal Brownfield volunteered to come to Iraq ... This Marine deserves a lasting place in your memory," said Amos. "I thank God for him and Marines like him."

March 19


Cpl David M. Vicente, USMC

The Department of Defense announced on March 22 the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. David M. Vicente, 25, of Methuen, Mass., died March 19, due to enemy action near Hit, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.



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