IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 134-06
February 13, 2006
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DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two
Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Javier Chavez Jr., 19, of Cutler, Calif., died Feb. 9 from
wounds received as a result of an improvised explosive device while
conducting combat operations near Fallujah, Iraq.
Cpl. Ross A. Smith, 21, of Wyoming, Mich., died Feb. 9 from an
improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy
forces near Fallujah, Iraq.
Both Marines were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton,
Calif. During OIF their unit is attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force (Forward).