Three American Troops Killed in Iraq Wednesday.

[wilheim]

BAGHDAD — Three Marines were killed in action Wednesday west of the Iraqi capital, the U.S. military said.

A statement from the command said the troops died in Al Anbar province "while conducting security and stability operations." No further details were released.



As of Wednesday, 799 U.S. troops had died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq in March 2003, according to the Defense Department. It was unclear whether the latest deaths were included.

Associated Press.

 

[wilheim]

MAROA, Ill. -- The Ridlen twins seemed to always be together.

The brothers, from this town 30 miles south of Bloomington, were stationed with the same unit in Iraq when a truck rigged with explosives detonated Sunday next to a convoy, killing Army Spc. Jeremy L. Ridlen, 23. Guard officials wouldn't say if his identical twin, Jason Ridlen, was with the convoy at the time.

He is expected to accompany his brother's body home.

''They just clung to each other. You can't talk about one without talking about the other,'' said Diane Daggett, a teacher at Maroa-Forsyth High School, where they graduated in 1998.

They joined the Illinois National Guard and were assigned to the 1544th Transportation Company based in Paris Illinois.

The Rev. Marlin Jaynes, speaking for the Ridlen family, said it will be up to Jason Ridlen whether he returns to Iraq. AP