DoD Identifies Army Casualties
November 19, 2003

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldiers were killed on Nov. 15 when two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Mosul, Iraq.

Pfc. Richard W. Hafer, 21, of Cross Lanes, W.Va. Hafer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Capt. Pierre E. Piche, 29, of Starksboro, Vt. Piche was assigned to the 626th Forward Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Pfc. Joey D. Whitener, 19, of Nebo, N.C. Whitener was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

The incident is under investigation.