100th Battalion soldier killed, two others injured in vehicle crash in Iraq
Advertiser Staff
A soldier assigned to the Army Reserve's 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment was killed Wednesday in Iraq, the Department of Defense said today.
Spc. Casey L. Hills, 23, of Salem, Illinois, died of injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle crash during convoy operations, the Department of Defense said.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
Two other 100th Battalion soldiers — Sgt. Talifaie Tuufuli and Spc. Billy Gibson — were injured in the crash. Both are at the Camp Arifjan Medical Facility with non-serious injuries.
Radio station WJBD in Salem reported today that Hills' family is at Dover Air Force Base, Del., for the return of his remains.
Once a schedule is set for the return of Hills' body, Salem Mayor Leonard Ferguson told the station, plans will be put into place to honor him with a police and fire escort.
WJBD says Hills had gone to Iraq last fall as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve Individual Ready Reserves and was scheduled to return home next month.
Hills' awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
A memorial service for Hills is scheduled for tomorrow at Camp Virginia, Kuwait.