By Terri Moon Cronk, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON -- Members of the Defense Department express
condolences for the two U.S. Central Command service members who died during
the weekend, Army Col. Rob Manning, director of defense press operations, told
reporters this morning.
While supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in the Tarin
Kowt district of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province, Army Cpl. Joseph Maciel of
South Gate, California, died July 7 of wounds he suffered during an apparent
insider attack, Manning said, noting the incident is under investigation.
Maciel was posthumously promoted to corporal. He had served
in Afghanistan since February.
Two other U.S. service members were wounded during the
attack and are in stable condition, Manning added.
Maciel was an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion,
28th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Benning, Georgia. Task Force 1-28
Infantry is deployed in support of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade,
the colonel noted.
Sailor Dies During Small-boat Ops
On July 8, a sailor assigned to the guided missile destroyer
USS Jason Dunham died from injuries he suffered while conducting small-boat
operations in the Red Sea, Manning said.
The sailor, whose name will be released 24 hours after
family members are notified, was medically evacuated to a hospital in Jordan
and was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m. local time.
“The Navy is investigating the circumstances of his death,”
the colonel said, adding that there was no indication of foul play in the
sailor’s death and that he died in a nonhostile environment.
The Jason Dunham is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of
operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and
security in the Centcom region, he added.
“These losses are a solemn reminder that our business is
inherently dangerous -- but through training and pertinent planning, we always
try to mitigate the risks to our personnel who are our most valuable asset,”
Manning said.
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