FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Pennsylvania Army
National Guard soldiers were killed in action Thursday evening in a single
attack near Ramadi, Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Arnold, 27, Montrose, Headquarters-Headquarters
Company, 1-109th Infantry; and Staff Sgt. George A. Pugliese, 39, Carbondale;
Spc. Lee A. Wiegand, 20, Hallstead; Spc. Eric W. Slebodnik, 21, Carbondale;
and Spc. Oliver J. Brown, 19, Athens, all of C-Company, 1-109th Infantry
(Mechanized), were killed during the attack.
The soldiers were on a routine patrol to secure construction of a railroad
bridge when an improvised explosive device struck their M2A2 Bradley Fighting
Vehicle. The vehicle was then attacked by small arms fire and rocket-
propelled grenades, setting it ablaze.
"Our deepest sympathies are with these soldiers' families during this
tragic time," said Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. "Once again, the
entire commonwealth mourns the loss of these courageous men who made the
ultimate sacrifice."
"They were conducting a very important mission that led directly to the
neutralization of insurgent activity in our area," said Col. John L. Gronski,
2nd Brigade Combat Team commander. "They are true heroes and I am very proud
of them. The entire team is saddened by the loss of these brave warriors, but
even more resolved to complete the mission."
The New Milford-based Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit, comprised of
92 Soldiers, had attached more than 59 members to B-Company, 1-109th,
Williamsport who deployed with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team to Iraq in July.
The team is on a one-year assignment conducting combat patrols, escorts and
training for Iraqi civil defense forces.
Arnold, Pugliese, Wiegand, Slebodnik and Brown will be posthumously
awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge.
"My condolences and deepest sympathies go out to their families, friends
and loved ones," said Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, state adjutant general. "The
entire Pennsylvania National Guard family is saddened by the loss of these
fine men and brave soldiers."
Arnold was employed by Sherwood Freightliner; Wiegand worked at
Cornerstone, a lumber company; Slebodnik was a history student at Indiana
University of Pennsylvania; Pugliese was a corrections officer with the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and Brown worked with his father.
Nineteen Pennsylvania National Guard members have been killed in action
since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
CONTACT: Lt. Jay Ostrich, Pennsylvania Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs, +1-717-861-8468.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
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Related links:
http://www.state.pa.us
CONTACT:
Lt. Jay Ostrich, Pennsylvania Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs, +1-717-861-8468
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