Chapter+31



Another Filam soldier killed in Iraq

Even while the community was still mourning the death of Abay, a Filipino American soldier at the US Naval Hospital here last month, another Filipino American soldier was reportedly killed by a roadside bomb while he was on patrol in Tibu Falria. Killed was Sergeant Jones T. Green, 25, a squad leader in the US Army, was killed early this month, according to a report Sunday in the Honolulu Star Bulletin."

The anti-war website said he died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive bomb detonated near their position during a dismounted patrol it blew one of his legs of, and his arm. He was assigned to the 2nd Batallion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Light Infantry, from Fort Drum, New York.

Green left his hometown of Lingayen, Pangasinan in the 1990s for Honolulu where he stayed with his cousin, Mae Green Acosta Myhre, and pursued his studies. He first joined the Air Force and assigned to Florida before moving to the Army in 2004.

His parents, sisters and a brother are still residing in Pangasinan where his body will be brought and laid to rest. In November 2006, another Filam, Army Staff Sgt. Paul A. Doria, 25, died in Kirkuk after being struck by small-arms fire during an air-assault mission. The anti-war website ttp://www.antiwar.com/casualties/ estimated that 3, 400 American soldiers have died since the Iraq war began on March 19, 2003, of which 3, 000 died in combat. The number of injured Americans was placed officially at 25, 000 as of June 3, 2007.

Green obtained his US citizenship in November 2006. The Star Bulletin quoted his cousin, Mae Myhre from Honolulu, as saying that Green considered the grant of his American citizenship a fulfillment of his dream, and a stepping stone to attaining his ultimate goal of being a member of the US Army’s elite Delta Force. Myhre said she grew up with Green grew up in the Philippines and considered him her brother. She said becoming a citizen was a prerequisite for Delta Force. But Green has died before he could be a Delta Force member.

Green had also planned to marry his fiancée, Helen Dell of Florida, in December after returning from Iraq. They met four years ago when he was stationed in Florida as a mechanic in the Air Force.

Green was deployed to Iraq in August 2006. He was expecting to return to Honolulu this coming August, but had his tour extended to October or November. “He wanted Honolulu to be the place to stay when he retires,” said Myhre. “He loved Hawaii. He was dreaming of buying a house at North Shore.” According to Myhre, Green always loved the military. “He’s that person who wants action all the time. He wants to have that honor, like a hero," she said. Although crushed by Green’s death, she found comfort knowing that her cousin died chasing his dream.

“He died happy,” she said. “He’s in love with the military — that’s what he wants. He wants to serve his country. ... He served his mission in life." A news release from the US Army said Green completed the Army Ranger course, the Combat Life Saver Course and Airborne School. He was a squad leader in the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based in Fort Drum, New York.

Mike.G

works cited: 5 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,282812,00.html