Since the war in Iraq began in 2003, 12 sons of Micronesia have lost their
lives. They are:
a.. Army Spc. Christopher Jude Rivera Wesley
a.. Army 1st Lt. Michael Aguon Vega
a.. Army Sgt. Yihjyh Lang Chen
a.. Marine Cpl. JayGee Meluat
a.. Army Sgt. Skipper Sora
a.. Ferdinand Ibabao
a.. Army Spc. Jonathan Pangelinan Santos
a.. Army Staff Sgt. Steven Bayow
a.. Army Spc. Derence Jack
a.. Army Sgt.Wilgene Lieto
a.. Army Spc. Richard Junior DeGracia Naputi
a.. Army Pfc. Kasper Allen Camacho Dudkiewicz
Guam son, 23, dies in war
Military told family Army private died Sunday
By Valerie Lynn M. Maigue
Pacific Daily News
[email protected]
Army Pfc. Kasper Allen Camacho Dudkiewicz, 23, of Chalan Pago is the latest
Guam son to be claimed in the war in Iraq.
Dudkiewicz, the 12th son of Micronesia to die in the current war, has served
in the U.S. Army for the last three years and left for Iraq last November.
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The details of his death were not available as of press time.
Dudkiewicz's stepmother, Connie Dudkiewicz, said she received the news of
her son's death yesterday morning, and military officials informed the
family he died Sunday.
"He was very proud to serve his country," Connie Dudkiewicz said. "He was
excited to go and serve in Iraq."
Two older brothers of Kasper Dudkiewicz are serving in the military, one of
whom is stationed in Iraq and the other just returned from Iraq in April
last year, she said.
"He wanted to go to Iraq; this was something he wanted to do," said Connie
Dudkiewicz. "His brothers were there at the time he put in a request. He
just wanted to be with his brothers," she said.
Connie Dudkiewicz said her stepson wanted to start a family.
She said he met his wife, Katie -- who is also serving active duty in the
Army -- in Korea. She said the two were married last September.
"He enjoyed his job in the military," she said. "He was just one guy who
wanted to do everything. He strived for excellence and he wanted to serve
his country the best way that he could."
Condolences
Gov. Felix Camacho extended his condolences to the family in a press release
yesterday afternoon. He asked that Guam residents keep the Dudkiewicz family
in their thoughts and prayers.
He is survived by his wife, Katie Dudkiewicz of California. His parents are
Maria Margaret Camacho of Hawaii, formerly of Pagat, Mangilao, and Kasper
and Connie Dudkiewicz of Chalan Pago. He is also survived by his eight
brothers and two sisters.
Just last month, Army Spc. Richard Junior DeGracia Naputi, 24, of Talofofo
was killed by an explosive in Tali, Iraq.
Naputi and Lt. Michael J. Cleary of Pennsylvania were killed when a homemade
bomb detonated near the Humvee they were in during combat operations. Both
soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd
Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Originally published January 17, 20