This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bell, Bernholtz, Bloem, Harper, Hoffman, Kreuter, Stewart Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AmJBAIB/7220 Message Board Post: No. 794-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2005 DoD Identifies Marine Casualties The Department of Defense announced today the death of seven Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Timothy M. Bell Jr., 22, of West Chesterfield, Ohio Lance Cpl. Eric J. Bernholtz, 23, of Grove City, Ohio Lance Cpl. Nicholas William B. Bloem, 20, of Belgrade, Mont. Sgt. Bradley J. Harper, 25, of Dresden, Ohio Sgt. Justin F. Hoffman, 27, of Delaware, Ohio Cpl. David Kenneth J. Kreuter, 26, of Cincinnati, Ohio Cpl. David S. Stewart, 24, of Bogalusa, La. All died August 3 when their Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq. Bloem was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Billings, Mont. Harper was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Norfolk, Va. Stewart was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Gulfport, Miss. The other four Marines were assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they all were attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Media with questions about these Marines can call the Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs Office at (504) 678-4178. http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2005/nr20050804-4323.html

I remember when this occurred as one of the young men was from my hometown, and the son of a close family friend was dispatched to Iraq as one of the replacement. My heart went out to all of the families affected at that time. I did not realize a Stewart was among the boys who were killed. It's appropriate now that I reaffirm my sympathies. My own Stewarts are from Cincinnati. A great-granduncle of mine, Edgar, was killed in France in 1918 just days before the Armistice was signed. As communications was slow in those days, the family had celebrated the end of the war and was looking forward to his return when the news reached them. War truly is hell, isn't it? -----Original Message----- From: jasche45133@aol.com [mailto:jasche45133@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 9:35 AM To: STEWART-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Cpl. David S. Stewart, 24, of Bogalusa, La. d. Iraq, Aug 2005 This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bell, Bernholtz, Bloem, Harper, Hoffman, Kreuter, Stewart Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AmJBAIB/7220 Message Board Post: No. 794-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2005 DoD Identifies Marine Casualties The Department of Defense announced today the death of seven Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Timothy M. Bell Jr., 22, of West Chesterfield, Ohio Lance Cpl. Eric J. Bernholtz, 23, of Grove City, Ohio Lance Cpl. Nicholas William B. Bloem, 20, of Belgrade, Mont. Sgt. Bradley J. Harper, 25, of Dresden, Ohio Sgt. Justin F. Hoffman, 27, of Delaware, Ohio Cpl. David Kenneth J. Kreuter, 26, of Cincinnati, Ohio Cpl. David S. Stewart, 24, of Bogalusa, La. All died August 3 when their Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq. Bloem was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Billings, Mont. Harper was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Norfolk, Va. Stewart was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Gulfport, Miss. The other four Marines were assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Columbus, Ohio. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they all were attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Media with questions about these Marines can call the Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs Office at (504) 678-4178. http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2005/nr20050804-4323.html ______________________________