DoD Announces Soldiers Status as Missing-Captured
June 29, 2007

The Department of Defense has changed the status of two soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom from duty status whereabouts unknown (DUSTWUN) to missing-captured.

Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., and Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass., were declared missing-captured June 27.

On May 12, Fouty and Jimenez were categorized as DUSTWUN when their patrol was attacked by enemy forces. They are assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Efforts continue for their successful and safe return. For more information in regard to the ongoing search and recovery operations please contact the Coalition Press Information Center-Baghdad at (703) 270-0299 or (703) 270-0320.

Change in status questions can be directed to Shari Lawrence, deputy public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Va., at (703) 325-8856, after hours: (703) 946-0791.

The public affairs officer assisting Fouty’s family is Maj. Dawn Dancer, (517) 481-8140 or (517) 481-8141, after hours: (517) 896-0860, Michigan National Guard.

The public affairs officer assisting Jimenez’s family is Lt. Col. Jeffrey Buczkowski, (212) 784-0113 or (212) 784-0112, after hours: (785) 410-5522, Army public affairs-New York Branch.