TUCKER, THOMAS LOWELL 
Remains Recovered

Name: Thomas Lowell Tucker
Branch/Rank: Army/Pfc
Unit: 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Date of Birth/Age: 05/05/1981 / 25
Home City of Record: Madras / Bend, OR
Date of Loss: June 16, 2006
Country of Loss: Iraq
Original Status: DUSTWUN
Killed   [in Captivity]
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground

Other Personnel in Incident:

Killed,: Spc. David J. Babineau
DUSTWUN: Pfc Kristian Menchaca

Jun-19-2006 12:23

Statement From the Family of PFC Thomas L. Tucker

Salem-News.com

"We are praying for the safe return of our son, Tom, and Pvt. 1st Class Kristian Menchaca and our deepest sympathy is with the family of Spc. David Babineau."

(MADRAS) - Our son, Thomas Tucker was born in Prineville, Oregon. We moved to Madras where he and his sister were raised. He graduated Madras High School. For several years he worked in construction as a framer. Thomas has a great love of music and played the piano......


Al Qaeda-linked group claims it kidnapped 2 U.S. soldiers

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An al Qaeda-affiliated group on Monday claimed it kidnapped two U.S. soldiers south of Baghdad, although the captives were not named.

The group -- Mujahedeen Shura Council -- made the unverified claim in a statement posted on a Web site. It did not post images or video of the soldiers as it has in the past.

The statement said, "the strongest army in the world is turned around, ashamed of their failure [to find the soldiers] and we will give you more information on the incident in the following days." .....

 
NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense

No. 588-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jun 22, 2006 Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000

Public/Industry(703)428-0711

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained on or about June 16. Both soldiers were previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. Their unit came under enemy small-arms fire while manning a checkpoint during combat operations, and both soldiers were taken by enemy forces. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:

Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore.

Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of San Marcos, Texas

This incident is under investigation.

For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.