Bomb Kills U.S. Soldier; Casualties Identified

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2006 – A U.S. soldier was killed June 9, and the Defense Department has released the identities of servicemembers who died recently while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The soldier, from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, was killed by a homemade bomb while conducting a combat logistics patrol on the evening of June 9 near Diwaniyah, Iraq. The soldier's name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

The Department of Defense announced the identities of servicemembers killed in recent days while supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan:

• Army Sgt. Jose M. Velez, 35, of Bronx, N.Y., died in Kirkuk, Iraq, on June 9, of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee during combat operations. Velez was assigned to the Army Reserve 773rd Transportation Company, Fort Totten, N.Y.
• Army Pvt. Benjamin J. Slaven, 22, of Plymouth, Neb., died on June 9 in Diwaniyah, Iraq, of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee. Slaven was assigned to the Army Reserve 308th Transportation Company, Lincoln, Neb.
• Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel B. Crabtree, 31, of Canton, Ohio, died in Kut, Iraq, June 8 of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee. Crabtree was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Columbus, Ohio.
• Army Sgt. 1st Class Clarence D. McSwain, 31, of Meridian, Miss., died in Baghdad June 8 of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his convoy vehicle. McSwain was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
• Army Spc. Luis D. Santos, 20, of Rialto, Calif., died in Buritz, Iraq, June 8 of injuries suffered when a homemade bomb detonated near his Humvee during combat operations. Santos was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

  (Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)