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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, May 09, 2006, at1:45 p.m. (CDT)
CONTACT: Major Orson Ward at (605) 737-6721, (605) 431-8753
SFC Donald Matthews at (605) 737-6234, (605) 431-8521
Roger Anderson at (605) 737-6268, (605) 391-8197
South Dakota National Guard Soldier killed in Iraq – two wounded
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today that he has received word of the death of Staff Sgt. Gregory A. Wagner of Mitchell, S.D. who was serving with Yankton’s Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery, that is currently in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Wagner, 35, was killed in Baghdad on Monday, May 8, when his vehicle was hit by an improvised fired projectile.
Two other Soldiers from Charlie Battery were injured during the incident. The families of the Soldiers involved were notified Monday. In accordance with current privacy laws, the names and current conditions of those injured will not be released.
“We join family and fellow South Dakotans in mourning the tragic loss of Staff Sgt. Gregory Wagner,” said Gov. Rounds. “It is with honor and respect to our Soldiers that we realize the importance of the work they do to protect and guard our freedom. Please remember Gregory’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Wagner was a team leader for Charlie Battery that is currently serving a one-year tour in Iraq. Charlie Battery’s mission involves training and evaluating the Iraqi Police Force in one of the city’s police districts.
Wagner, a 1989 graduate of HansonHigh School, is the son of Velma and the late Charles Wagner of Alexandria. He was not married.
Staff Sgt. Wagner worked full time for the National Guard as a heavy mobile equipment repairer at the Surface Equipment Maintenance Complex in Mitchell. Prior to deploying with the Yankton unit, he was a member of Mitchell’s Battery A, 1/147th FA.
Battery C, 1/147th FA was mobilized in July of 2005 and deployed to the Middle East in October 2005.
Further details about funeral arrangements will be announced when they become available.
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MEDIA note follows:
The Wagner family has requested not to be contacted by the media. All inquires should be made to the South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office.
Two Photos Attached via e-mail:
Staff Sgt. Gregory A. Wagner, Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery
Staff Sgt. Gregory A. Wagner, Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery takes time to pose for a picture with local Iraqi child (undated photo).