IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 814-03
November 03, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of eight soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldiers were on board a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter when it went down on Nov. 2 in Al Fallujah, Iraq. Killed were:

Sgt. Ernest G. Bucklew, 33, of Enon Valley, Pa. Bucklew was assigned to Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Pfc. Anthony D. Dagostino, 20, of Waterbury, Conn. Dagostino was assigned to the 16th Signal Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.

Pfc. Karina S. Lau, (female) 20, of Livingston, Calif. Lau was assigned to the 16th Signal Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.

Sgt. Keelan L. Moss, 23, of Houston, Texas. Moss was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.

Sgt. Ross A. Pennanen, 36, of Oklahoma. Pennanen was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.

1st Lt. Brian D. Slavenas, 30, of Genoa, Ill. Slavenas was assigned to F Company, 106th Aviation Battalion, Army National Guard, Peoria, Ill.

Spc. Frances M. Vega (female), 20, of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. Vega was assigned to the 151st Adjutant General Postal Detachment 3, Fort Hood, Texas.

Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson, 30, of Mississippi. Wilson was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.

Pennanen, Ross Alan, SGT