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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 05, 2005
CONTACT: Major Orson Ward at (605) 737-6721, (605) 431-8753 or SFC Donald Matthews at (605) 737-6234, (605) 431-8521 or Roger Anderson at (605)737-6268, (605)391-8197.
Two South Dakota National Guard Soldiers killed in Iraq
Three more severely injured
PIERRE, S.D. - Governor Mike Rounds announced today that he received word of the death of two Soldiers from Yankton’s Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery, which is currently in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1St Class Richard Schild, 40, of Tabor, and Staff Sgt. Daniel M. Cuka, 27, of Yankton were killed on Dec. 4, in Baghdad. Both were killed when two separate improvised explosive devices detonated near their HUMVEEs while en-route to an Iraqi Police Station.
Both the Schild and Cuka families have been notified and the South Dakota Army National Guard is providing assistance in this time of extreme tragedy.
Three other Soldiers of Charlie Battery, Specialist Corey Briest, Yankton, Specialist Allen Kokesh, Yankton, and Private Warren Bender, Redfield, were injured in this incident. All three Soldiers’ family members have been notified. Their medical conditions are not being released.
Richard Schild was the 1st Platoon Sergeant and Dan Cuka was a team leader for Charlie Battery, that is currently serving a one-year tour in Iraq. Charlie Battery has been assigned the mission to train and evaluate the Iraqi Police Force in one of the city’s police districts.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the Soldiers who lost their lives or were injured,” stated Gov. Rounds. “This is a tragic loss for South Dakota and should serve as a vivid reminder to all of us of the dedicated service and sacrifice of our brave men and women who wear the uniform of this country defending freedom in the world today. Please remember their families in your thoughts and prayers.”
Charlie Battery was mobilized in July 2005 and deployed to the Middle East in October 2005.
MEDIA – All inquires should be made to the South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office.
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