Nonhostile death of Okinawa-based Marine in Iraq being investigated

[unhappycamper]

Nonhostile death of Okinawa-based Marine in Iraq being investigated
By David Allen, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, June 5, 2008

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — An investigation was continuing Tuesday into the death of an Okinawa-based Marine in Iraq on Friday.

Cpl. Christian S. Cotner, 20, assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, was killed in what Department of Defense officials are calling a "nonhostile incident" in the Anbar province of Iraq, where his unit is deployed.

No details regarding the incident have been released.

His death pushed the number of Americans killed in Iraq in May to 19, the lowest number since 20 troops died in February 2004, according to an Associated Press tally based on military reports.

Cotner, a field radio operator, entered the Marine Corps on Aug. 7, 2006, according to a Marine Corps news release from Okinawa. He arrived on Okinawa April 12, 2007, and was promoted to the rank of corporal on April 1.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55309