DoD Identifies Army Casualties
March 17, 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died March 15th as a result of injuries sustained in Kot, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Woodstock, Ill.

Killed were:

Sgt. Christopher P. Abeyta, 23, of Midlothian, Ill.

Sgt. Robert M. Weinger, 24, of Round Lake Beach, Ill.

Spc. Norman L. Cain III, 22, of Oregon, Ill.

Cain died at the scene of the incident in Kot; Abeyta and Weinger were transported to Jalabad, Afghanistan, where they later died.

For more information related to this release, media may contact the Illinois National Guard public affairs office at (217) 761-3569.