| From The Statesman Journal statesmanjournal.com
08/29/09:
Monmouth teen one of two soldiers killed in Iraq Friday
Statesman Journal • August 29, 2009
The Oregon National Guard identified the soldiers killed in Iraq Friday as Pfc. Taylor D. Marks of Monmouth and Sgt. Earl D. Werner of the Amboy, Wash., area.
Marks and Werner were killed in Rashid, Iraq when their convoy was attacked and struck by armor-piercing projectile” the Oregon Military Department said. They were serving with the 41st Special Troops Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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Marks, 19, was born in Salem and raised in Monmouth. He was a graduate of Central High School and joined the Oregon Army National Guard, attending training with a friend.
His plans were to join the military and continue his education. He was contracted to go to the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio in California, but made the decision to defer his schooling in order to deploy with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
An Oregon Military Department spokeswoman said Saturday that Marks was promoted posthumously to the rank of Specialist.
He is survived by his mother Michelle Mack, stepfather Don Mack and sister Courtney, 15, all of Monmouth, and stepsister Alex, 19, of
Keizer; and father Morey Marks of Salem.
Werner, 38, was on his third deployment with the Oregon National Guard. His first was as part of the 2nd Battalion, 162 Infantry in 2004. He later deployed with the 234th Engineer Company in 2007 before transferring to the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
During his time with the ONG, Werner was awarded the Bronze Star, two Army Commendation Medals and the Combat Action Badge.
He is survived by his wife Casey and son Charles, 19 of the Amboy, Wash., area. |
