Military deaths

The Defense Department last week identified the following American military personnel killed in Afghanistan and Iraq:

William C. Comstock, 21, of Van Buren, Ark.; corporal, Marine Corps. Comstock died of noncombat-related injuries Wednesday in Iraq’s Anbar province, west of Baghdad. He was assigned to the 2nd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Brad A. Davis, 21, of Garfield Heights, Ohio; corporal, Army. Davis was killed Wednesday when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle near Baghdad. He was assigned to the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Richard A. Dewater, 21, of Topeka, Kan.; private first class, Army. Dewater was killed April 15 when an improvised explosive device detonated near him while he was on foot patrol near Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, east of Kabul. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

Benjamin Moore Jr., 43, of Waycross, Ga.; command sergeant major, Army. Moore died of noncombat-related injuries Friday at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, north of Baghdad. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Ray A. Spencer II, 20, of Ridgecrest, Calif.; lance corporal, Marine Corps. Spencer died of noncombat-related injuries April 16 in Iraq’s Anbar province, west of Baghdad. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

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Sources: Department of Defense and the Associated Press

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latimes.com/wardead

Remembering California’s war dead

“I did not know Sergio personally, but he was my son Rogelio’s friend. His death and his honor had a great impact on my son. Rogelio also joined the Marines and told me to never forget his friend Sergio and what he did for his country. Two years later, my son Rogelio also gave his life for his country. Now together they both serve in a greater place. God bless them both and they will not be forgotten.”

-- Irene Ramirez,

posted Thursday on Marine Lance Cpl. Sergio H. Escobar, 18, of Pasadena, right, who was killed Oct. 8, 2005, when a roadside bomb exploded near him in Ramadi, Iraq, west of Baghdad

Do you have a memory to share about one of California’s more than 500 fallen troops? Post your remembrances online at the Times database of Californians killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, which allows you to search by name, hometown, high school and more, as well as read hundreds of obituaries and view links to personal websites and other news reports.

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War casualties

TOTAL U.S. DEATHS*

* In and around Iraq: 4,278

* In and around Afghanistan: 608

* Other locations: 67

* Includes military and Department of Defense-employed civilian personnel killed in action and in nonhostile circumstances as of Friday

Source: Department of Defense