DoD Identifies Army Casualties
May 01, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit during combat operations.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Jay E. Martin, 29, of Baltimore.

Sgt. Alexander J. Funcheon, 21, of Bel Aire, Kan.

Pfc. Brian A. Botello, 19, of Alta, Iowa.

They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at (719) 526-3420; after hours (719) 526-5500.