DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
May 09, 2005

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

Cpl. Dustin A. Derga, 24, of Columbus, Ohio, died May 8 as the result of enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ubaydi, Iraq.

Sgt. Michael A. Marzano, 28, of Greenville, Pa., died May 7 as the result of an explosion caused by suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq.

Derga was assigned to Marine Forces Reserves 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment,4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio. Marzano was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Phoenix, Ariz. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom their units were attached to the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Media with questions about these Marines can call the Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs Office at (504) 678-4178.