Inside NOVA -- Forest Park High School student Diana Davis and her soldier dad bonded through their love of soccer, and that shared passion continued when he was sent to Iraq.

The two devised a plan to deliver donated soccer balls to Iraqi children during Army Master Sgt. Anthony Davis’ humanitarian missions in impoverished towns and villages.

On Monday, Davis was on one of those missions when he was shot dead by someone dressed as an Iraq Security Force officer.

“He was actually about to retire when they sent him to Iraq,” his daughter said Thursday as friends and family gathered at the Davis home in Triangle to mourn.

Davis, 43, was delivering food and relief supplies near Biaj when he and six others were shot, according to the Department of Defense. A Marine was also killed in the attack.

WLWT -- A Tri-State marine was killed in action while serving in Iraq.

The Department of Defense announced the death Wednesday and said that the marine was serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He was identified as Capt. Warren A. Frank, 26, of Cincinnati. Frank was killed Tuesday while supporting combat operations in Iraq's Ninewa province.

Neighbors said they saw the military make the notification of the family yesterday, and said his mother is having a difficult time.

"I think she's just devastated. I'm devastated and he's not my son -- but he is my son now. I can't imagine what she's going through. It's terrible,” neighbor Roy Wergers said.

He was assigned to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liasion Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Okinawa, Japan.

Anchorage Daily News -- FAIRBANKS -- A soldier from Fort Wainwright's Stryker unit has died in Iraq.

Lt. William K. Jernigan, a 35-year-old Doralville, Ga., native, died of injuries sustained in a noncombat-related incident.

The Defense Department says the incident is under investigation.

Jernigan was assigned to the Headquarters Company, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry.

Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday said she will send an Alaska state flag and a letter of condolence to his family.

KTEN -- FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood announced the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Antonio Wilson, 36, of Bonham, Texas, died Nov. 21 in Abu Sayf, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a rescue attempt of another Soldier while their unit was conducting a dismounted reconnaissance mission.

Wilson joined the military in January 1997 as an indirect fire infantryman and was assigned to, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since September 2006. He deployed November 2007.

Sergeant First Class Wilson's decorations and awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Office of the Governor -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Gunnery Sgt. Marcelo R. Velasco, of Miami, FL:



"Maria and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Gunnery Sergeant Marcelo Velasco. He was a courageous Marine who dedicated his life to preserving our nation's freedom. His loyal service to our country is an inspiration to us all and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. We join all Californians in offering our thoughts and prayers to Marcelo's family and friends during this difficult time."



Velasco, 40, died November 19 from injuries sustained in a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I MEF, U.S. Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton, CA.

The incident is currently under investigation.



In honor of Gunnery Sgt. Velasco, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

The Washington Post -- Charles Yi Barnett wanted to help those who couldn't help themselves. He also came from a long line of military servicemen.

So, after earning his general equivalency diploma, the 18-year-old from Bel Air, Md., enlisted in the U.S. Army, just as his father and grandfather had. He became a soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Tex.

In Iraq, among other duties, he was assigned to clear roads of mines and other explosive devices so fellow troops and Iraqi civilians had safe passage.

The private, who was 19, died Thursday of injuries suffered in a noncombat-related incident in Tallil, Iraq, according to the Defense Department. The incident is under investigation.

Family members were in shock and disbelief yesterday, said Barnett's stepfather, Michael Dashiell, mourning the loss at the family's Bel Air home with Barnett's mother, Ipun "Yvonne" Dashiell, older brothers Jason and Jonathan Barnett, older stepsister Lauren Dashiell and younger stepbrother Michael Dashiell.

KSBY -- A Buellton Marine is killed while serving in Iraq.

Corporal Aaron Michael Allen was killed Friday by an improvised explosive device (IED). This was his second tour in Iraq and he was scheduled to return to the U.S. December 20.

"I told him, I don't care if you come back with no arms and no legs, you better get your butt home," Corporal Allen's sister, Amy Allen, said. "He promised, he said 'I'll never let anything bad happen to you and Mom.'"

It is a promise he was not able to keep.

"When I saw his First Sergeant and the Chaplain here, I knew immediately," Allen said. "There was no question in my mind."

Reno Gazette Journal -- Army Chief Warrant Officer Christian P. Humphreys, 28, of Fallon died Saturday when a helicopter crashed in Iraq, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Monday.

An OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopter crashed while on a mission over Mosul, the military said. The cause of the crash was not known.


Chief Warrant Officer Donald V. Clark, 37, of Memphis, Tenn., also died in the crash. It was unclear who was the pilot.


Humphreys was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force 49, U.S. Army Alaska, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the Pentagon reported.


Capt. April Conway of the Nevada National Guard said that as of late Monday, the state had not been contacted about the death.


WYTV -- Even before he graduated from Boardman High School in 1989, Donald Clark knew his calling.

Donald's father, Donal Clark, says, "Donnie was always a person interested in helping others."

He did so by joining the military, first the navy, then in 1995 he enlisted in the army working his way up to Warrant Officer.

That's where he discovered his true passion, flying.

"That was his life. He loved it next to his family. He just glowed when he talked about flying", says Linda Clark, Donnie's mother.

And while he ultimately lost his life in the skies over Iraq, Donnie's family says they can take comfort in the fact he died doing what he loved and what he believed in.

KWTX -- Two soldiers from Fort Hood’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment died Wednesday in Mosul when a uniformed Iraqi soldier approached them and opened fire, the military said Friday evening.

The two soldiers were identified as Sgt. Jose Regalado, 23, of Los Angeles and Spc. Corey M. Shea, 21, of Mansfield, Mass.

Both were assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s 3rd Squadron.

The shooting is under investigation, the military said.