thedrifter
08-13-08, 08:33 AM
Okinawa-based Marine reportedly killed in Iraq
By David Allen, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, August 14, 2008
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — An Okinawa-based Marine was killed Sunday in Iraq.
According to the Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel, the parents of Sgt. Michael Ferschke Jr. were informed by Marine officials Sunday that their son had been fatally shot while conducting house-to-house searches.
Details of Ferschke’s death, including where the action took place, were not immediately disclosed, a family friend told the newspaper. Marines on Okinawa had no confirmation Tuesday of the fatality and were awaiting information from Headquarters Marine Corps before releasing any information concerning the sergeant.
The Knoxville newspaper reported Ferschke, 22, was a radio operator with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. A family friend speaking for the family told the newspaper Ferschke enlisted in the Marines after graduating from high school in 2003 and had extended his enlistment in order to deploy to Iraq in March.
He left behind a pregnant wife on Okinawa, according to the paper. The Japanese woman is five months pregnant and married Ferschke a month ago via video phone while he was in Iraq, the newspaper reported. She is still on Okinawa, according to press reports.
Ellie
By David Allen, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, August 14, 2008
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — An Okinawa-based Marine was killed Sunday in Iraq.
According to the Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel, the parents of Sgt. Michael Ferschke Jr. were informed by Marine officials Sunday that their son had been fatally shot while conducting house-to-house searches.
Details of Ferschke’s death, including where the action took place, were not immediately disclosed, a family friend told the newspaper. Marines on Okinawa had no confirmation Tuesday of the fatality and were awaiting information from Headquarters Marine Corps before releasing any information concerning the sergeant.
The Knoxville newspaper reported Ferschke, 22, was a radio operator with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. A family friend speaking for the family told the newspaper Ferschke enlisted in the Marines after graduating from high school in 2003 and had extended his enlistment in order to deploy to Iraq in March.
He left behind a pregnant wife on Okinawa, according to the paper. The Japanese woman is five months pregnant and married Ferschke a month ago via video phone while he was in Iraq, the newspaper reported. She is still on Okinawa, according to press reports.
Ellie