| Press Release |
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| July 29, 2004 |
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Army Guard soldier killed in Iraq
Pvt. 1st Class Ken W. Leisten of Warrenton, Ore. was killed in action in Taji, Iraq on July 28, 2004 at approximately 4:44 p.m. He was the driver of a M1114 Up-Armored HMMWV with it was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Originally assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 162 Infantry in Forest Grove, Leisten volunteered to join the 2nd Battalion, 162 Infantry as part of the upcoming rotation into Iraq.
Injured in the incident were in SFC Phillip V. Jacques and Albany resident and PFC Benjamin Ring of Blodgett, Ore. Jacques who was the tactical commander sustained a concussion to the head, both legs and burn to the back. Ring, the gunner onboard the HMMWV sustained shrapnel wounds to the right shoulder and neck, a broken leg and contusion on left breast and back. Both will leave the Corps Support Hospital in Bagdad enroute to Landstuhl, Germany on Friday, July 30, 2004.
This is the Oregon Army National Guard’s fifth combat related death. Four others were killed in June 2004. Spec. Nathan Nakis was killed in a vehicle rollover last December.
For more information contact:
Kay Fristad
503-584-3917
cell 503-931-5179
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