thedrifter
12-31-08, 07:39 AM
MILITARY: Camp Pendleton Marine dies in Iraq
By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer
CAMP PENDLETON ---- A U.S. Marine lance corporal has died in a nonhostile incident in Iraq's Anbar province west of Baghdad, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.
The department identified the Marine as Lance Cpl. Robert L. Johnson, 21, of Central Pointe, Ore.
Johnson was assigned to Camp Pendleton's 5th Combat Logistics Battalion, 1st Combat Logistics Regiment, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
The circumstances of his Dec. 20 death are under investigation, the department said in a written statement.
Johnson joined the Marine Corps in September 2005 after graduating from Crater High School in Central Pointe. His job was described as a logistics vehicle system operator.
Published reports in Oregon newspapers said he married his wife, Elizabeth, shortly before leaving in August on his second assignment in Iraq. His mother was quoted as being unaware of how he died.
Johnson, whose first Iraq deployment was in 2007, grew up in California and Oregon. He is scheduled to be buried at 1 p.m. Friday at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary in Whittier.
His awards included a Navy Unit Commendation, a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
At least 344 Camp Pendleton-based Marines and sailors have died in Iraq since the war began in March 2003. Fourteen Marines from the base lost their lives in Iraq this year, the lowest annual figure.
The death toll in Iraq from troops stationed at other area bases since the war started include 10 from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and 114 from the Marine Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms.
Of the 12 troop fatalities in Iraq from all branches of the services this month, seven stemmed from what the Pentagon said were nonhostile injuries, including three who died in motor vehicle accidents.
The 12 fatalities represent the lowest monthly number since the invasion, according to icasualties.org, which tracks all troop deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Through Dec. 29, 312 American service members had died in Iraq in 2008, also the lowest yearly total since the war began.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Ellie
RIP
By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer
CAMP PENDLETON ---- A U.S. Marine lance corporal has died in a nonhostile incident in Iraq's Anbar province west of Baghdad, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.
The department identified the Marine as Lance Cpl. Robert L. Johnson, 21, of Central Pointe, Ore.
Johnson was assigned to Camp Pendleton's 5th Combat Logistics Battalion, 1st Combat Logistics Regiment, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
The circumstances of his Dec. 20 death are under investigation, the department said in a written statement.
Johnson joined the Marine Corps in September 2005 after graduating from Crater High School in Central Pointe. His job was described as a logistics vehicle system operator.
Published reports in Oregon newspapers said he married his wife, Elizabeth, shortly before leaving in August on his second assignment in Iraq. His mother was quoted as being unaware of how he died.
Johnson, whose first Iraq deployment was in 2007, grew up in California and Oregon. He is scheduled to be buried at 1 p.m. Friday at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary in Whittier.
His awards included a Navy Unit Commendation, a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
At least 344 Camp Pendleton-based Marines and sailors have died in Iraq since the war began in March 2003. Fourteen Marines from the base lost their lives in Iraq this year, the lowest annual figure.
The death toll in Iraq from troops stationed at other area bases since the war started include 10 from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and 114 from the Marine Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms.
Of the 12 troop fatalities in Iraq from all branches of the services this month, seven stemmed from what the Pentagon said were nonhostile injuries, including three who died in motor vehicle accidents.
The 12 fatalities represent the lowest monthly number since the invasion, according to icasualties.org, which tracks all troop deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Through Dec. 29, 312 American service members had died in Iraq in 2008, also the lowest yearly total since the war began.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Ellie
RIP