DOD ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN MARINE CASUALTY STATUS

April 11, 2003

The Department of Defense announced today it has changed the status of Marine Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez from Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) to killed in action. Sgt. Padilla-Ramirez, 26, of San Luis, Ariz., was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-371, Marine Wing Support Group-37, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz. He was last seen conducting convoy operations in the vicinity of Al Nasiriyah on 28 March. His remains were identified on April 10.