DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
January 28, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of 11 Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Brian D. Bland, 26, of Weston, Wyo.

Sgt. Michael W. Finke Jr., 28, of Huron, Ohio

1st Lt. Travis J. Fuller, 26, of Granville, Mass.

Cpl. Timothy M. Gibson, 23, of Hillsborough, N.H.

Cpl. Richard A. Gilbert Jr., 26, of Montgomery, Ohio

Cpl. Kyle J. Grimes, 21, of Northampton, Pa.

Lance Cpl. Tony L. Hernandez, 22, of Canyon Lake, Texas

Cpl. Nathaniel K. Moore, 22, of Champaign, Ill.

Lance Cpl. Gael Saintvil, 24, of Orange, Fla.

Cpl. Nathan A. Schubert, 22, of Cherokee, Iowa

Lance Cpl. Michael L. Starr Jr., 21, of Baltimore, Md.

All died Jan. 26 when the CH-53E helicopter they were in crashed near Ar Rutbah, Iraq. Hernandez was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The others were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

News media with questions about Hernandez can call the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Public Affairs Office at (858) 577-7542 during working hours and (858) 864-3406 after hours. News media with questions about the other Marines can call the Marine Corps Base, Hawaii Public Affairs Office at (808) 257-8840 or (808) 257-8839.