Fifth Douglas County soldier dies in Iraq

<i>Note: This story has been updated Jan. 31, 10 a.m. The original can be read below.</i>

RIDDLE — For the fifth time in five years, Douglas County residents are grieving the loss of a local soldier fighting in Iraq.

Army Pvt. Joshua Anthony Richard Young, 21, of Riddle was one of five soldiers killed when their unit encountered an explosive device during convoy operations in Mosul, Iraq, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported that the convoy was ambushed in the city, Iraq’s third largest, where tensions have grown since an explosion in an abandoned apartment killed some 60 people and injured 200 last week.

The apartment, authorities said, was used to stash insurgents’ weapons and bombs, according to the AP.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colo.

Young joined the Army in May of 2007, and joined the 3rd Brigade Combat Team in September, according to the military. He was deployed in December.

Efforts to reach his local family members were unsuccessful.

No dates have been set for funeral services, a Fort Carson spokeswoman said this morning. A memorial service will eventually be held for Young and the other soldiers at Fort Carson, with the soldiers’ families deciding whether to hold services elsewhere.

“It’s completely up to the family,” said Karen Linne, media relations chief.

The other men who died Monday were identified as Sgt. James E. Craig, 26, of Hollywood, Calif., Staff Sgt. Gary W. Jeffries, 37, of Roscoe, Texas, Spc. Evan A. Marshall, 21, of Athens, Ga., and Pfc. Brandon A. Meyer, 20, of Orange, Calif.

Monday’s attack brings the total number of soldiers from Fort Carson killed in Iraq to 232, The AP reported.

Only once before have as many Fort Carson soldiers died in a single incident, according to Linne. Five soldiers from the post were killed on June 28, also by an improvised bomb.

Young is the fifth soldier from Douglas County to perish in Iraq since the war began in March 2003. The others include Army Spc. Daniel A. Leckel of Glendale, Army Pfc. Dean R. Bright of Sutherlin, Army Spc. Rickey W. Rockholt Jr. of Roseburg and Marine Cpl. James L. Moore of Roseburg.



• You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@newsreview.info.

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RIDDLE — A soldier from Riddle was killed Monday in an explosion in Mosul, Iraq, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed today.

Army Pvt. Joshua A. R. Young, 21, was one of five soldiers killed when their unit encountered an explosive device during convoy operations, according to the military.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colo.

The other men were identified as Sgt. James E. Craig, 26, of Hollywood, Calif., Staff Sgt. Gary W. Jeffries, 37, of Roscoe, Texas, Spc. Evan A. Marshall, 21, of Athens, Ga., and Pfc. Brandon A. Meyer, 20, of Orange, Calif.

Monday’s attack brings the total number of soldiers from Fort Carson killed in Iraq to 232, The Associated Press reported, quoting a post spokeswoman.

The AP reported that the convoy was ambushed in the city, Iraq’s third largest, where tensions have grown since an explosion in an abandoned apartment killed some 60 people and injured 200 last week.

The apartment, authorities said, was used to stash insurgents’ weapons and bombs, according to the AP.

Anyone with information about Young can call News-Review reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246.