Friendly fire may have killed 2 in 101st

[Barrett808]

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- The deaths of two Fort Campbell soldiers last week in Iraq are being investigated as possible friendly fire incidents, the Army said yesterday.

Staff Sgt. Aram J. Bass, 25, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Sgt. William B. Meeuwsen, 24, of Kingwood, Texas, died Wednesday in Baghdad when they came under fire during combat operations, the Army said.

Both soldiers were 101st Airborne infantrymen assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Bass entered the Army in June 2000 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Breanne Sterner of Youngstown, N.Y.; his father, William Bass of Niagara Falls; and his mother, Debbie Johnson, also of Niagara Falls.

Meeuwsen entered the Army in October 2002 and arrived at Fort Campbell in April 2004.

He is survived by his wife Lauren, of Fort Bliss, Texas; and his parents, Michael and Thresa Meeuwsen of Kingwood, Texas.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051129/NEWS0104/511290391/1008/NEWS01

[UpInArms]

1. from a different article regarding this incident

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20051129/1011292.asp

excerpt:

"The circumstances of the soldiers' deaths are under investigation as a potential friendly-fire incident," according to a news release issued Monday by the Defense Department.

Military officials who notified Bass' family of his death reportedly told them he died trying to save another soldier.

A public affairs officer for the Army couldn't be reached to comment further Monday night.

What has the family been told now?

"I'm sorry. At this time, I really can't give any information," said Bass' widow, Breanne Sterner of Youngstown.

...more...

Another Tillman-type lie from the military?

[leftchick]

2. I saw Sgt. Meeuwsen on Yahoo photos yesterday

What a waste... :(



Sgt. William B. Meeuwsen, 24, of Kingwood, Texas, shown in an undated photo released by the U.S. Army, and Staff Sgt. Aram J. Bass, 25, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005, in Baghdad when they came under direct fire during combat operations, the Army said. The deaths are being investigated as possible friendly-fire incidents, the Army said Monday, Nov. 28. (AP Photo/U.S. Army)

[RamboLiberal]

3. Here's another recent strange soldier's death

The Army's criminal unit is investigating the killing of a Beaver County soldier, military officials said Monday.
Army Pvt. Dylan Paytas, 20, of Freedom, died of multiple gunshot wounds "sustained during a noncombat-related incident" Nov. 16 at the Warhorse forward base near Baqubah about 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Stacy Simon of the Coalition Press Information Center in Iraq.

Simon referred questions to the Army's Criminal Investigation Division. Spokesman Christopher Grey declined to provide details about the incident. The agency investigates all noncombat deaths and some combat deaths, he said.

"People can't assume that just because it's us that there has been a crime," he said.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_398870.html