Casualties - June 7, 2005

Condolences to the Family and Friends of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others

United States Army

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on June 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Justin L. Vasquez, 26, of Manzanola, Colo.
Spc. Eric J. Poelman, 21, of Racine, Wis.
Pfc. Brian S. Ulbrich, 23, of Chapmanville, W. Va.

Col. Theodore S. Westhusing, 44, of Dallas, Texas, died June 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Westhusing was serving with the Multi-national Security Transition Command-Iraq and was assigned to the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.