Gung Ho!

Main Entry: gung ho Pronunciation: 'g&[ng]-'hOFunction: adjective Etymology: Gung ho!, motto (interpreted as meaning "work together") adopted by certain U.S. marines, from Chinese (Beijing) gOnghé, short for ZhOngguó GOngyè Hézuò Shè Chinese Industrial Cooperative Society: extremely or overly zealous or enthusiastic

Gung Ho!
Additional Pages

Gung Ho!
And The Cost of War!


Cost of the War.Com
(JavaScript Error)

Gung Ho!
And The Cost of War In Lives!


Friday, July 29, 2005

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Andre L. Williams, 23, of Galloway, Ohio, died July 28, when his unit came under attack by enemy small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades while conducting combat operations in Cykla Village, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio


Semper Fi


Trial delayed for Greenfield spy suspect

Associated Press

A federal judge today postponed the trial for a Greenfield man who has been charged with trying to sell the names of American intelligence agents to Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi government.


Semper Fi


DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Capt. Benjamin D. Jansky, 28, of Oshkosh, Wis., died July 27 in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, where his HMMWV was accidentally struck by another military vehicle.


Semper Fi


Suicide bomber kills 25 in northern Iraq - police (Reuters)

And the blood shed continues.

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - A suicide bomber blew himself up among a group of Iraqi army recruits in northern Iraq on Friday, killing 25 people and wounding 35, police said.


Reuters Photo: Iraqi soldiers from the 8th Platoon, 1st Mechanized Division, patrol areas in Baghdad in this...

And this from DOD website.

Troop Reductions to Be Conditions-Based, Coalition Spokesman Says

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2005 – Any reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq will be based strictly on security conditions in the country and the readiness of Iraqi forces to conduct independent operations, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman in Baghdad said today.

The United States will not reduce forces until the Iraqi security forces can maintain the security environment, Air Force Brig. Gen. Donald Alston stressed in a news conference. The United States and Iraq will consult on when these conditions have been met.

Army Gen. George W. Casey, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, said July 27 that substantial troop reductions could begin as early as spring or summer if the insurgency is put down and Iraqi forces are ready to handle the security mission.


Semper Fi


DoD Identifies Army Casualties From July 26, 2005

DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Jason T. Palmerton, 25, of Auburn, Neb., died on July 23 in Qal'eh-Yegaz, Afghanistan, where he came under enemy small arms fire while conducting a dismounted patrol.



DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Christopher J. Taylor, 22, of Opelika, Ala., died July 24 in Balad, Iraq, when he was hit by mortar rounds while he was exiting a bunker.



DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Adam J. Harting, 21, of Portage, Ind., died July 25 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.



DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Michael W. Schafer, 25, of Spring Hill, Fla., died July 25 in Oruzgan, Afghanistan, when he was shot by enemy forces while on a quick reaction force mission.


Semper Fi


TheDailyItem: Wounded Marine recovering

By Karen Blackledge

The Daily Item

NORTHUMBERLAND — Todd Bucher was severely wounded by a bomb in Iraq, but he considers himself fortunate.

"I am lucky to be alive," he said. "Somebody was watching over me. I was only two feet away from when it went off."

The Marines lance corporal was talking about the IED, or improvised explosive device, that detonated while he and other Marines were on foot patrol during the early morning hours of July 10 in Iraq.


Semper Fi


AP: US troops arrest al-Qaida cell leader

US troops said today they have captured a cell leader of the notorious al-Qaida in Iraq terror organisation.

Ammar Abu Bara, alias Amar Hussein Hasan, was arrested on Wednesday in Mosul, Iraq’s third largest city, by troops of the Army’s 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, a US statement said.


Semper Fi


CENTCOM: DETAINEE DIES AT CAMP BUCCA

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 30-year-old male security detainee at Camp Bucca died July 27 as a result of renal failure and other organ failure due to chronic malaria.

The detainee was admitted to the field hospital on July 3 following complaints of nausea. An attending physician pronounced him dead at 3:30 p.m. July 27 at the field hospital.

Officials at the hospital believe the detainee contracted malaria prior to arriving at Camp Bucca in December 2004. The detainee was not diagnosed until recently as he did not exhibit any symptoms.


Semper Fi


CENTCOM: TASK FORCE BAGHDAD SOLDIER DIES IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A Task Force Baghdad Soldier died when the vehicle he was driving was involved in a single-vehicle accident off base in central Baghdad around 11:30 p.m. on July 28.


Semper Fi


CENTCOM: TWO MARINES KILLED IN CYKLA (confirmed)

TWO MARINES KILLED IN CYKLA

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Two Marines assigned to Regimental Combat Team-2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), were killed in action July 28 when their unit came under attack by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.


Semper Fi


Thursday, July 28, 2005

Opponents Want Bush Barred From Summit

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Opponents of
President Bush launched a protest drive Wednesday urging court authorities to keep him from attending a November summit in Argentina, saying his presence would raise security concerns.



AP Photo: Demonstrators protest outside the Buenos Aires Courthouse against George W. Bush's visit to the country...

Semper Fi


US House passes Central American trade pact

I'm very disappointed that Cafta passed the House. Cafta=Shafta!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a free-trade agreement with Central America on Thursday, handing
President Bush a hard-fought victory in difficult times for efforts to expand global trade.

The Republican-controlled House voted 217-215 in favor of the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement.

Snip

Only 15 of the House's 202 Democrats backed CAFTA, and 27 Republicans opposed it.


Semper Fi


Guardian: Scale of Iraq insurgency unforeseen, says MoD

The government admitted yesterday that it had failed to foresee the scale of potential insurgency in Iraq and that the invasion had left a "strategic vacuum" in the country.

The admissions were made in the government's official response to a highly critical Commons defence committee report on the handling of post-war operations in Iraq.

Snip

The Ministry of Defence admitted that "while some planning took place to deal with the likely disaffection following the invasion of Iraq, an insurgency on the scale that subsequently followed was not foreseen."


Semper Fi


Reuters: Pipeline Attacked Near Baiji

Security incidents in Iraq, July 28


Semper Fi


MNF: One Task Force Liberty Soldier killed, five wounded by IED (confirmed)

TIKRIT, Iraq – One Task Force Liberty Soldier was killed and five were wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated near a combat patrol at about 11:00 a.m. July 27 in Salah Ad Din Province.


Semper Fi


Democratic candidates tout Iraq war experience (USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News)

Paul Hackett likes to say he's "not your standard Democrat."

But if Democrats could design a dream candidate to capitalize on national distress about the war in
Iraq, he would look a lot like the tall, telegenic Marine Reserve major who finished a seven-month tour of Iraq in March.

Should Hackett, the Democratic nominee in a special election Aug. 2 in Ohio's 2nd District, win, he would be the first Iraq combat veteran elected to Congress. At least two other Iraq combat veterans - both Democrats - plan to run for House seats next year. All three are touting their Iraq experience and knocking the White House and Congress for not having a realistic sense of the war on the ground.


Semper Fi


Roadside Bomb Kills 2 U.S. Troops in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Roadside bombs killed two American soldiers in northern Baghdad and ignited a train carrying fuel in the south of
Iraq's capital, killing two Iraqis and wounding six others, officials said Thursday.

The bombing that killed the two U.S. soldiers came Wednesday during a patrol by soldiers assigned to the Army's Task Force Baghdad, the military said on Thursday. Another U.S. soldier was wounded.

Their deaths brought to three the number of American soldiers killed in central Iraq on Wednesday; seven have been killed since Sunday night.



AP Photo: An Iraqi firefighter directs the water flow to douse flames from an exploded fuel tanker...

Semper Fi


Soldier, Twin Dies In Iraq

(CBS) PORTAGE, Ind. One of the youngest soldiers to fight in the Iraqi war was killed in the line of duty.

Adam Harting was barely old enough to legally drink. Despite his young age, he enthusiastically wanted to serve his country.

Snip

On Monday, Harting got word his 21-year-old son was dead. An explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Samarra, Iraq.




Semper Fi


Wednesday, July 27, 2005

San Diego to Hold Mayoral Runoff in Nov.

Go, Frye, Go!

SAN DIEGO - This troubled seaside city has seen three mayors hold office in July alone, but it will have to wait until November to elect a fourth.

Councilwoman and surf shop owner Donna Frye led a field of 11 candidates in Tuesday's mayoral election but fell short of the majority required to avoid a runoff. She will face former Police Chief Jerry Sanders on Nov. 8.


Semper Fi


AP: Iran Achieves Solid Fuel Technology

Oh, goody.

TEHRAN, Iran -
Iran said for the first time Wednesday it has fully developed solid-fuel technology in producing missiles, a major breakthrough that increases the accuracy of missiles hitting targets.


Semper Fi


US general cranks up pressure on Iraq constitution

Okay let's hear what you have to say.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A senior US general pressed for the prompt ratification of
Iraq's constitution, arguing that the document would be "one more nail" in the coffin of the insurgency.

Lieutenant General John Sattler of the US Marines raised the issue in Washington hours after Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said on the way to Baghdad that Iraqis preparing the new constitution had to "get on with it."

Sattler, commander of the First Marine Expeditionary Force, implied that failure to move quickly on the document would leave a window of opportunity for insurgents.



AFP/File Photo: Senior US general John Sattler, seen here in 2003, pressed for the prompt ratification of...

Do you really think that the insurgents care if Iraq ratifies a constitution? Wasn't the elections suppose to make the insurgency end? What about in Afganistan, they have both a constitution and a elected president? Aren't we still fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda?

Semper Fi


Suicide bomber kills 5 at Baghdad hospital-police (Reuters)

And it continues.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to a Baghdad hospital on Wednesday, killing at least five people and wounding 10, police sources said.



Reuters Photo: A group of wounded men walk away from the scene of an explosion at a...

Semper Fi


House will pass CAFTA tonight: DeLay (Reuters)

I'd like to know which Dems, are going to vote for CAFTA? This equals shafta (more out sourcing) for the American worker.

Republicans in the House of Representatives will approve a new free trade agreement with Central America late on Wednesday with the help of a few Democrats, House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay said.

"It will be a tough vote but we'll pass CAFTA tonight," DeLay told reporters after a meeting between President Bush and House Republicans. "We will honor our commitments to the south, we will protect our national security and will do it all with very few Democrats."


Lets hope this is wishfull thinking on Delays part!

Semper Fi


AP: Jamestown Marine recovering after bomb blast in Iraq

JAMESTOWN, N.D.

A Marine serving in Iraq is recovering from a concussion and other injuries after he was thrown from a Humvee when a bomb exploded, his parents say.

Lance Cpl. Bryan Nagel, 20, is to be awarded the Purple Heart, said his parents, Tom Nagel and Stacey Liddle, of Jamestown.


Semper Fi


US aims to sharply cut Iraq force within a year

Ah, the rosey picture in Iraq.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States hopes to sharply reduce its forces in
Iraq by the middle of next year, its top commander on the ground said on Wednesday.

The remarks by General George Casey appear to have been the first time since the insurgency worsened sharply in April that top
Pentagon officials have suggested a timeline for withdrawal
.

Casey's comments came as a new poll showed most Americans now think the United States will lose the war in Iraq.

"I do believe that if the political process continues to go positively, if the developments with the (Iraqi) security forces continue to go as it is going, I do believe we will still be able to make fairly substantial reductions after these elections -- in the spring and summer of next year," Casey said at a briefing with visiting Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.


Semper Fi


Al-Qaida Says It Killed Algerian Diplomats

By MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press Writer

CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida in
Iraq claimed in an Internet posting Wednesday that it has killed two Algerian diplomats kidnapped in Iraq, the second reported slayings of Arab envoys this month.


Semper Fi


Report: California Guard Unit Investigated

When a whole company is put on restriction, something is fubar!

LOS ANGELES - A company of the California Army National Guard was placed on restricted duty after allegations that members of the unit mistreated detainees in
Iraq, possibly with a stun gun, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Investigations are under way into the allegations of mistreatment of prisoners by the soldiers, Col. David Baldwin, a California National Guard spokesman, told the Los Angeles Times. Other members of the 1st Battalion of the 184th Infantry Regiment are accused of extorting money from Iraqi shopkeepers.


Semper Fi


MNF: Four Task Force Baghdad Soldiers killed in bomb attack (confirmed)

BAGHDAD , Iraq -- Four Task Force Baghdad Soldiers died when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb at 7:15 p.m. July 24 in southwest Baghdad .

Semper Fi


DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Christopher J. Taylor, 22, of Opelika, Ala., died July 24 in Balad, Iraq, when he was hit by mortar rounds while he was exiting a bunker.





The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Adam J. Harting, 21, of Portage, Ind., died July 25 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.



Semper Fi


Indiana Solider Killed In Iraq

An Army soldier from northwestern Indiana died this week in
Iraq when an explosive device detonated near his vehicle, the U.S.
Department of Defense said Tuesday.

Spc. Adam J. Harting, 21, of Portage, died Monday in Samarra, Iraq, the
Pentagon said.

Harting was assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Ga.


Semper Fi


Four U.S. soldiers killed by Baghdad roadside bomb (Reuters)

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Four U.S. soldiers were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in southwest Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.

The military said in a statement the incident occurred on Sunday night but gave no further details.


Semper Fi


Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Herald Standard: Marine's battle for survival in Iraq recounted

A Jan. 26 mission to capture a group of insurgents who were reportedly inside a home on the edge of the town of Haditha, Iraq, turned into a battle for survival for a group of U.S. Marines.

When the battle was over, four Marines were dead and Richeyville native Sgt. William Meyers, 27, received injuries that will likely leave permanent scars.

Snip

On Jan. 26, Meyers said their target was a two-level house on the edge of the town of Haditha. He gave an account of the day's events to be included in an internal publication at Ferguson Corp. HVAC, where he works at in Charlotte, N.C., as outside sales manager. "We were supposed to go in and capture 10 insurgents who were supposed to be hiding out there. Our time on target was 3 a.m. I was in charge of the assault team that was to go in, grab the bad guys and get out," Meyers said.

Debbie Meyers said the information the unit had received was a setup. When they arrived at the home, "nobody was there," she said.

On the way back to the base, the ambush began. "We moved about 100 meters when the first vehicle, an armored LAV (light armored vehicle), was hit with a roadside bomb on each side of it," Meyers said. "At that time, we were ambushed by about 30 to 60 insurgents with (RPGs) rocket propelled grenades, small arms and heavy machine guns. We were in a firefight with them for about 20 to 30 minutes. During the firefight, I was shot in the right shoulder, but didn't realize it until later," Meyers said.

Meyers was hit with shrapnel in his arm, leg and shoulder but he didn't become aware of that until later. Debbie Meyers said her son said there were "bullets flying everywhere."

"We started to regroup and come back in. We had driven a few hundred meters when my HUMVEE was hit with an RPG. The blast blew my goggles off my face and threw me almost over onto the driver. The rocket landed in the back of my vehicle where eight of my Marines were seated. The blast killed one instantly and three more died soon thereafter. Three more of my Marines in the back were also hit," Meyers said.



Sgt. William Meyers, a native of Richeyville, is shown during his hospitalization for injuries he received in an ambush in Iraq in January.

Semper Fi


150 U.S. Troops Become American Citizens

Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - They pledged allegiance Monday to a country they were already fighting for, and then the immigrants from 43 countries formally became Americans.

About 150 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines currently serving in Iraq took the oath for U.S. citizenship at Camp Victory, a military base on the outskirts of Baghdad.

Lt. Gen. John Vines, commander of the Multinational Forces in Iraq, presided over the naturalization ceremony as uniformed troops raised their right hands, swearing an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution and to perform service in the military.


Semper Fi


Wounded Marine appreciates support

By KEVIN KOELLING
Managing Editor

LEOPOLD - The Perry County Marine wounded in a car-bomb explosion in Iraq last month is recovering at home in Leopold and is grateful for the support she's felt from the Perry County community.

"I really appreciate what they've done for me," Cpl. Sally J. Saalman said Thursday. "Every little prayer, every get-well card; it has been great. I don't even know half of them. I do appreciate the Perry County people taking care of me."



Cpl. Sally J. Saalman

Semper Fi


DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Bryan J. Opskar, 32, of Princeton, Minn., died July 23 when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Rutbah, Iraq.


Semper Fi