Combat Deaths in Operation Iraqi Freedom  September 2005 FORT INDIANTOWN GAP (September 30) -- Five Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers were killed in action Wednesday evening, September 28, 2005) in a single attack near Ramadi, Iraq. Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Arnold, 27, Montrose, Headquarters-Headquarters Company, 1-109th Infantry; and Staff Sgt. George A. Pugliese, 39, Carbondale; Spc. Lee A. Wiegand, 20, Hallstead; Spc. Eric W. Slebodnik, 21, Carbondale; and Spc. Oliver J. Brown, 19, Athens, all of C -Company, 1-109th Infantry (Mechanized), were killed during the attack. The soldiers were on a routine patrol to secure construction of a railroad bridge when an improvised explosive device struck their M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The vehicle was then attacked by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, setting it ablaze. “Our deepest sympathies are with these soldiers’ families during this tragic time,” said Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. “Once again, the entire commonwealth mourns the loss of these courageous men who made the ultimate sacrifice.” “They were conducting a very important mission that led directly to the neutralization of insurgent activity in our area,” said Col. John L. Gronski, 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander. “They are true heroes and I am very proud of them. The entire team is saddened by the loss of these brave warriors, but even more resolved to complete the mission.” The New Milford-based Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit, comprised of 92 Soldiers, had attached more than 59 members to B-Company, 1-109th, Williamsport who deployed with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team to Iraq in July. The team is on a one-year assignment conducting combat patrols, escorts and training for Iraqi civil defense forces. Arnold, Pugliese, Wiegand, Slebodnik and Brown will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. “My condolences and deepest sympathies go out to their families, friends and loved ones,” said Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, state adjutant general. “The entire Pennsylvania National Guard family is saddened by the loss of these fine men and brave soldiers.” Arnold was employed by Sherwood Freightliner; Wiegand worked at Cornerstone, a lumber company; Slebodnik was a history student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Pugliese was a corrections officer with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the State Correctional Facility, Waymart, Wayne County; and, Brown worked with his father. Nineteen Pennsylvania National Guard members have been killed in action since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.   FORT INDIANTOWN GAP (September 21) – Three Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers, and a fourth from the Vermont National Guard, were killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Iraq Monday. The soldiers were on a routine patrol when their convoy was attacked in Ar Ramadi, Al Anbar Province, Sept. 19 around 11:30 a.m. The attack killed three soldiers in their up-armored HMMWV and another in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. All soldiers were assigned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Killed in the attack were Spc. William Evans, 22, Hallstead, Susquehanna County; Sgt. Michael Egan, 36, Philadelphia; Spc. William Fernandez, 37, Reading, Berks County; and Lt. Mark Dooley, a member of the Vermont National Guard. Evans was in the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Egan, Fernandez and Dooley were in the HMMWV. “Midge and I send our deepest sympathies to the families of these lost patriots,” said Governor Edward G. Rendell. “We, along with our fellow citizens, mourn the loss of these National Guard soldiers.” The soldiers will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Evans was assigned to the Williamsport-based Co. B 1/109th Infantry, for the Iraq deployment. His unit prior to deployment was the New Milford-based Co. C, 1/109th Infantry. He joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in April 2003. In his civilian capacity, Evans worked at Craige’s Photique, Montrose, Susquehanna County. Egan was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 1/104th Cavalry, Philadelphia. Egan served in the Marines from 1990 to 1999. He joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2003. As a civilian Egan worked for Reliance Electric, Philadelphia. Fernandez, was assigned to Troop B, 1/104th Cavalry, Philadelphia, for the deployment. His unit prior to deployment was the Fort Indiantown Gap-based Long Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD). Fernandez recently performed extra duty with the LRSD. Fourteen Pennsylvania National Guard members have been killed in action since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Seventy-three Pennsylvania service members have been killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team is comprised of more than 4,000 soldiers from 31 states. The Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division makes up the largest portion with 2,100 soldiers. The team departed Camp Shelby, Miss., in June for a one-year tour in Iraq.