U.S. soldier dies of wounds

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A U.S. serviceman died of wounds he sustained in an indirect fire attack in Baaquba city, the U.S. Department of Defense said. “Pfc. Cody J. Eggleston, 21, of Eugene, Ore., died Oct. 24 at the National in Bethesda, Maryland, of wounds suffered on October 16 in Baqubah, Iraq, when he received indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska,” according to a ministerial statement received by IraqiNews.com. The death brings the number of U.S. soldiers who have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 to 4,188. A total of 12 troops died this month, while 25 soldiers died in September, including nine of non-combat related causes. Other 23 soldiers were killed in August 2008, in addition to 13 troops who were announced dead in July, the month with the lowest U.S. deaths. 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 with 137. April 2004 comes second with 135, followed by May 2007 during which 126 U.S. soldiers were killed. SS (S) 1