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Army releases information on local soldier's death in Iraq
U.S. Army Sgt. Israel P. O'Bryan, 24, of Newbern, was one of two soldiers fatally wounded Friday during a bomb blast in Iraq.
His parents are Eddie and Denise Jones of Newbern and Richard and Linda O'Bryan of Portland, Tenn. "Izzy", as his friends knew him, was a 2004 graduate of Dyer County High School.
O'Bryan was married to Brenna O'Bryan and they had a son named Turner.
According to a press release from the United States Forces-Iraq, O'Bryan was patrolling within the Diyala province of Iraq with fellow U.S. soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces on June 11. The patrol encountered a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.
The Los Angeles Times reported the patrol was responding to appeals for help from residents embroiled in a family feud that they feared would turn violent. The blast occurred about 8:30 a.m. in the town of Jalula.
"U.S. military spokesman Maj. Lee Peters said that the soldiers had gotten out of their vehicles when the bomb exploded, and that authorities were still investigating whether it was a suicide attack," the California newspaper reported.
"American casualties have become relatively rare since U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq's cities last summer and as the military prepares to draw down to 50,000 troops by Sept. 1, giving it a markedly lower profile on the streets.
"Suicide bombings had also become infrequent in recent months. However, the last week has seen a sudden increase in violence, particularly against U.S. forces, after a nearly three-week lull," the newspaper reported.
A man who was watching the patrol from his doorway when the bomber struck told the Associated Press on Friday he believed troops were searching for weapons after a dispute among residents brandishing hand grenades and firearms the previous day.
"The man, who gave his name as Abu Kowyan, said the assailant attacked from a nearby alley, ramming his car into the joint patrol as troops were getting out of their vehicles," the AP reported.
"He said he counted about seven or eight American soldiers lying on the ground shortly after the blast. The fiery explosion shattered windows in his house 20 yards (meters) away."
O'Bryan and Spec. William C. Yauch, 23, of Batesville, Ark., were killed in the explosion. Six more U.S. soldiers were injured. The injured soldiers were given immediate medical attention, were evacuated by ground vehicles to a nearby military post and then flown to U.S. medical facilities for further treatment.
An Iraqi Security Forces' representative reported one Iraqi policeman and two Iraqi civilians were killed. Two Iraqi Police and approximately 22 civilians were injured during the attack.
O'Bryan and Yauch were assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. The division is supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to unit records, O'Bryan enlisted Feb. 27, 2006, at Memphis and reported to Fort Benning, Ga., on May 25, 2006, for initial entry training in Military Occupational Specialty 11C (Indirect Fire Infantryman) and Airborne Training. He reported to then-Fort Lewis, Wash., on Dec. 30, 2006, and was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. The brigade deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in August 2009 and this was O'Bryan's second deployment with the brigade. His first deployment was in 2007.
O'Bryan's civilian and military education include a high school diploma, two years of college credit at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Military Occupational Specialty 11C (Indirect Fire Infantryman) Qualification Course, Warrior Leader Course (2008), and DLI-Arabic studies (2009).
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Infantry Badge.
As of Monday evening, O'Bryan's body was in Dover, Del. awaiting transport. He will be buried in Sisseton, S.D., but funeral arrangements are not complete at this time.
According to unit records, Yauch enlisted Aug. 20, 2007, at Little Rock, Ark., and reported to Fort Benning for initial entry training in Military Occupational Specialty 11B (Infantryman). He reported to then-Fort Lewis on Dec. 26, 2007, and was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. This was his first deployment.
Yauch's civilian and military education include a test-based equivalency high school diploma and Military Occupational Specialty 11B (Infantryman) Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.