DOD ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN ARMY CASUALTY STATUS

April 05, 2003

The Department of Defense announced today the changed status of eight soldiers from Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) to killed in action. The eight soldiers were in a convoy that was ambushed March 23 in Iraq. They are: 

Sgt. George E. Buggs, 31, of Barnwell, S.C.

Master Sgt. Robert J. Dowdy, 38, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Pvt. Ruben Estrella-Soto, 18, of El Paso, Texas.

Spc. James M. Kiehl, 22, of Comfort, Texas.

Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, 35, of Amarillo, Texas.

Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa, 23, of Tuba City, Ariz.

Pvt. Brandon U. Sloan, 19, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Sgt. Donald R. Walters, 33, of Kansas City, Mo.

Buggs was with the 3rd Division Support Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga. The remainder were with the 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

The incident remains under investigation.