DoD Announces Marine’s Captured Status
July 01, 2004

The Department of Defense announced today the status of a Marine serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom as captured.

Cpl. Wassef A. Hassoun, 24, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was declared captured on June 28.

Hassoun was last seen on June 19 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq and was initially reported as missing when he failed to show for duty on June 20. While his absence initially prompted investigators to believe he was missing, a video shown on international television on June 27 depicted the Marine being held against his will by masked captors.

The circumstances regarding his capture remain under investigation.

He is assigned to 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Questions regarding theater operations can be directed to the U.S. Central Command at (813) 827-5895. Questions regarding the status of this Marine can be directed to Headquarters Marine Corps Public Affairs at (703) 614-4309.