FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Pennsylvania Army
National Guard Soldiers were killed and three others injured when improvised
explosive devices (IED) detonated near their convoy in the city of Samarra,
60 miles north of Baghdad, Saturday, Aug. 6.
The 5 p.m. blast killed Sgt. Brahim Jeffcoat, 25, Philadelphia, and Spec.
Kurt Krout, 43, Spinnerstown. They were in a multi-vehicle supply convoy in
up-armored HMMWVs when the IEDs exploded, causing their vehicle to roll over.
The explosions also injured Sgt. James Newman, 33, Schwenksville; Spec.
James Mcintosh, 38, Johnstown; and Spec. Rudolph Roberson Jr., 27,
Philadelphia. Roberson was seriously injured with a head laceration and leg
fracture. He was transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
Newman and Mcintosh were not seriously injured.
"Sergeant Jeffcoat and Specialist Krout proudly represented Pennsylvania
and their country and sadly, like too many others before them, they made the
ultimate sacrifice," said Governor Edward G. Rendell. "Our condolences go to
the families of these dedicated Soldiers and we continue to pray that all of
our brave men and women return to the commonwealth safely."
Both Soldiers were assigned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's
Company A, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry, Philadelphia. The unit is part of
Task Force Dragoon, a force of 750 Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers.
Task Force Dragoon deployed to Iraq in December for a one-year assignment.
"The entire Pennsylvania National Guard family mourns the loss of these
two fine Soldiers," said Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, state adjutant general.
"Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the Jeffcoat and Krout families
whose sons epitomized the ideals of citizen Soldier."
Jeffcoat joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1998 as a traditional
Guard member. In his civilian career, Jeffcoat was a youth counselor.
Krout is a former Marine who joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in
1995. In his civilian career he was a manager with Wal-Mart in Quakertown.
"They were two outstanding Soldiers who will be greatly missed," said Lt.
Col. Philip Logan, commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard Task Force in
Iraq. "They were good Soldiers and good men, who not only contributed to the
success of the mission, but left an indelible mark on everyone they touched
here."
Jeffcoat and Krout are the fifth and sixth Pennsylvania National Guard
Soldiers to die of combat wounds in Iraq. They will be posthumously awarded
the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge.
CONTACT: Lt. Col. Chris Cleaver, Pennsylvania Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs, +1-717-861-8468, Cell: +1-717-821-2094
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
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Related links:
http://www.state.pa.us
CONTACT:
Lt. Col. Chris Cleaver, Pennsylvania
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, +1-717-861-8468,
Cell: +1-717-821-2094
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