DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
November 16, 2004

The Department of Defense announced today the death of six Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Jeramy A. Ailes, 22, of Gilroy, Calif.

Lance Cpl. Travis R. Desiato, 19, of Bedford, Mass.

Lance Cpl. George J. Payton, 20, of Culver City, Calif.

Sgt. Rafael Peralta, 25, of San Diego, Calif.

Cpl. Marc T. Ryan, 25, of Gloucester, N.J.

Lance Cpl. James E. Swain, 20, of Kokomo, Ind.

Payton died Nov. 14. The other five Marines died Nov. 15. All died as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

Payton was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Swain was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Ailes was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Ryan was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Desiato was assigned 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Peralta was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

For further information on Ailes, Payton, Ryan and Swain, contact the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5044.For information on Desiato and Peralta contact the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 451-9033.