Jul 08
11
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2 Guam Guardsmen killed: One soldier seriously injured in Afghanistan
Pacific Daily News, GU - Jul 11, 2008
US Army Staff Sgt. Steven Bayow, 42, a Yap native, was one of two soldiers killed Feb. 2, 2005, in Bayji, Iraq, when a bomb hit their vehicle. ...
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Two Guam sons were killed and a third Guam soldier was seriously injured in action in Afghanistan Thursday, the Guam National Guard confirmed yesterday. Sgt. Brian S. Leon Guerrero, 34, a father of three from Tamuning; and Spc. Samson A. Mora, 28, a bachelor and car-show enthusiast from Dededo, died of injuries sustained after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. The explosion seriously injured Spc. Kalani Echang, 25, from Mangilao. The three soldiers left for Afghanistan in January as members of the Guam Army National Guard 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1/294th Infantry Battalion. About 180 soldiers from Alpha Company of the Guam Army National Guard are serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Guam National Guard confirmed the deaths and injury after the soldiers' families were notified. Details about Echang's condition were unavailable as of press time. "I, my wife Jan, and the entire Guard family are deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Leon Guerrero and Spc. Mora, and the injury to Spc. Echang," said Maj. Gen. Donald Goldhorn, adjutant general for the Guam National Guard. "We have mobilized our support teams to ensure that we take care of the needs of the families of our fallen and injured soldiers immediately," Goldhorn said. Acting Gov. Michael W. Cruz and Gov. Felix P. Camacho, in a joint statement, said: "The people of Guam are deeply saddened by the loss of two of our island's brave soldiers." "(Leon Guerrero and Mora) are heroes of our nation whose memory will live on in the hearts and minds of a grateful people," Cruz and Camacho stated. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Leon Guerrero and Mora families for the loss of their sons. Our thoughts are also with the Echang family as we pray for his recovery and all the loved ones whose lives have been changed by this tragedy." Guam and U.S. flags will be flown at half-staff across the island in honor of Leon Guerrero and Mora. At this morning's Guam National Guard Taotaomona 5K Run, a moment of silence will be observed in memory of the fallen soldiers and to pray for the recovery of Spc. Echang.
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