DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
May 16, 2005

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

Pfc. Christopher R. Dixon, 18, of Columbus, Ohio

Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Erdy, 21, of Williamsburg, Ohio

Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Grant, 23, of Santa Fe, N.M.

Lance Cpl. Jourdan L. Grez, 24, of Harrisonburg, Va.

All Marines were killed May 11 when their amphibious assault vehicle struck an explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq.

Dixon and Erdy were assigned to Marine Forces Reserves 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio. Grant was assigned to Marine Forces Reserves 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Albuquerque, N.M., and Grez was assigned to Marine Forces Reserves 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Roanoke, Va.

For Operation Iraqi Freedom, these Marines units were attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Media with questions about these Marines can call the Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs Office at (504) 678-4178.