DoD Identifies Army Casualties
October 05, 2003

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. James H. Pirtle, 27, of La Mesa, N.M., was killed on Oct. 4 in Assadah, Iraq. Pirtle was in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when an RPG struck his vehicle. Pirtle died of his injuries.

Pirtle was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

Pfc. Charles M. Sims, 18, of Miami, Fla., drowned on Oct. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Sims was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company, Fort Stewart, Ga.

These incidents are under investigation.