This Week marks the passings of journalist Daniel Schorr, former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, dance instructor Denise Jefferson. In addition, the Pentagon has released the names of sixteen service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
US Army SGT Matthew W Weikert, 29, Jacksonville, IL
US Army SFC John H Jarrell, 32, Brunson, SC
US Army SGT Leston M. Winters, 30, Sour Lake, TX
US Marines Cpl Dave M Santos, 21, Rota, Marianas Islands
US Marines SSgt Justus S Bartelt, 27, Polo, IL
US Army SGT Justin B Allen, 23, Coal Grove, OH
US Marines GySgt Christopher L Eastman, 28, Moose Pass, AK
US Army 1LT Robert N Bennedsen, 25, Vashon Island, WA
US Army SGT Anibal Santiago, 37, Belvidere, IL
US Army SGT Jesse R Tilton, 23, Decatur, IL
US Marines Cpl Paul J Miller, 22, Traverse City, MI
US Army SSG Brian F Piercy, 27, Clovis, CA
US Marines Cpl Julio Vargas, 23, Sylmar, CA
US Marines Cpl Joe L Wrightsman, 23, Jonesboro, LA
US Army 1LT Michael L Runyan, 24, Newark, OH
US Army PFC James J O'Quin, 20, El Paso, TX
According to iCasualties, the total number of allied service members killed in Iraq is 4,731; in Afghanistan, 1,967. Of that number, 151 were Canadian service members. The Taliban is also taking credit for the kidnapping of two service members, one of whom has since been killed. During this same period, Iraq Body Count lists 58 Iraqi civilians killed. And NATO is investigating 45 Afghan civilian deaths from an air raid on a village, among reports that civilian casualties in Afghanistan are on the rise.
I also want to point out specifically the death of Cpl. Dave Santos, who was not killed by a roadside bomb or insurgent attack, as most of the others on this list. Santos' death, at the hand of a fellow Marine, is still under investigation.
