Art by Shepard Fairey


The List: Summer in Iraq


This has been a deadlier summer for U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq than 2003. Last July, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, there were 48 fatalities and 226 soldiers wounded in action; this July there were 58 soldiers who died and 404 wounded. In June 2003 there were 36 fatalities and 147 wounded; this year there were 50 fatalities and 566 wounded soldiers.


This month, as of August 9, there have been 22 fatalities. Details from the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, Icasualties.org, follow:


August 9


U.S. Captain Andrew R. Houghton died at Walter Reed Medical Center of brain injuries received July 10 from a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) while on early morning patrol near Samarra, Iraq.


U.K. Private Lee Martin O. Callaghan died in Basra from hostile fire during clashes with militiamen loyal to Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.


August 8


U.S. Lance Corporal Jonathan W. Collins, 19, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, died due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province.


August 7


U.S. Private 1st Class David L. Potter, 22, of Johnson City, Tennessee, died of non-combat related injuries in Baghdad. Cause under investigation.


August 6


U.S. Lance Corporal Larry L. Wells, 22, of Mount Hermon, Louisiana, died due to enemy action in An Najaf Province.


U.S. Specialist Joshua I. Bunch, 23, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, died in Baghdad when individuals using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades attacked his vehicle.


U.S. Corporal Roberto Abad, 22, of Los Angeles, California died due to enemy action in An Najaf Province.


August 5


U.S. Sergeant Moses Daniel Rocha, 33, of Roswell, New Mexico, died due to injuries received from enemy action in An Najaf.


U.S. Private 1st Class Raymond J. Faulstich Jr., 24, of Leonardtown, Maryland, died when individuals using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades attacked his convoy in Najaf.


U.S Sergeant Yadir G. Reynoso, 27, of Wapato, Washington, died due to enemy action in An Najaf Province.


U.S. Specialist Donald R. McCune, 20, of Yplsilanti, Michigan, died in Landstuhl, Germany, because of injuries due to an explosive that was detonated near his patrol on August 4 in Balad.


August 4


U.S. Gunnery Sergeant Elia P. Fontecchio, 30, of Milford, Massachusetts, died due to injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province.


U.S. Lance Corporal Joseph L. Nice, 19, of Stevensville, Montana, died due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province.


U.K. Private Christopher Gordon Rayment, died of non-hostile action in Al Amarah. No further information given.


August 3


U.S. Private 1st Class Harry N. Shondee Jr., 19, of Ganado, Arizona, died due to an explosion detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.


U.S. Captain Gregory A. Ratzlaff, 36, of Olympia, Washington, died due to a non-combat related incident at Forward Operating Base Duke, Iraq.


U.S. Sergeant Tommy L. Gray, 34, of Roswell, New Mexico, died in Taji, when he became caught between two motor pool vehicles.


August 2


U.S. Specialist Justin B. Onwordi, 28, of Chandler, Arizona, died due to an explosive detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Baghdad.


U.S. Sergeant Juan Calderon Jr., 26, of Weslaco, Texas, died due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province.


U.S. Corporal Dean P. Pratt, 22, of Stevensville, Montana, died due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province.


August 1


U.S. Specialist Anthony J. Dixon, 20, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, died because of an explosive detonated near his guard post in Samarra.


U.S. Specialist Armando Hernandez, 22, of Hesperia, California, died because of an explosive detonated near his guard post in Samarra.

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