Eight Marines, One Sailor Killed in Iraq Incidents

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2006 - Eight Marines and a sailor died in two separate incidents in Iraq yesterday. Three servicemembers also are missing after a vehicle accident in floodwaters, military officials reported today.

A U.S. Marine Corps 7-ton truck rolled over in a flash flood near Asad, resulting in five Marines dead, one injured, and two Marines and one sailor missing. The vehicle was on a combat logistics convoy in Anbar province with eight Marines and one Navy corpsman on board.

The deaths were not a result of enemy action, U.S. military officials said.

"Our thoughts are with the families, and we are using all the resources available to find our missing Marines and sailor," Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Bryan Salas said.

Two of the missing servicemembers are assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, and the third is assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7. The injured Marine was returned to duty.

In a separate incident, three Marines and a sailor, assigned to 2/28 Brigade Combat Team, serving with Multinational Force West, died from enemy action in Anbar province. No further details were available.

The names of the dead and missing are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Semper Fi