U.S. Marine killed in non-combat incident in Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A U.S. Marine was killed in a non-combat incident in the predominantly Sunni province of al-Anbar, the U.S. army said in a statement on Friday. “Lance Cpl. Stacy A. Dryden, 22, of North Canton, Ohio, died Oct. 19 from injuries sustained in a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. She was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, Calif.,” according to the statement received by IraqiNews.com. “The incident is under investigation,” it added, not giving more details. The death brings to 11 the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq in October and to 4187 the fatalities since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Twenty-five soldiers were killed in September, including nine of non-combat related causes, while 23 were killed in August 2008. Thirteen U.S. troops were announced dead in July, the month with the lowest U.S. deaths. Forty were killed in January, 29 in February, 38 in March and 52 in April. November 2004, which witnessed fierce battles between U.S. forces and armed groups in Falluja city, Anbar province, remains the month that witnessed the highest U.S. death toll, 137, followed by April 2004 with 135 and May 2007 during which 126 U.S. soldiers were killed. AmR (S) 1