5 killed in Iraq based at Fort Carson

Five soldiers killed when a roadside bomb blew apart their vehicle during an ambush in Mosul, Iraq, this week were based at Fort Carson, the military said Wednesday.

The soldiers were identified as Sgt. James E. Craig, 26, of Los Angeles; Staff Sgt. Gary W. Jeffries, 37, of Roscoe, Texas; Spc. Evan A. Marshall, 21, of Athens, Ga.; Pfc. Brandon A. Meyer, 20, of Orange, Calif.; and Pvt. Joshua A. R. Young, 21, of Riddle, Ore.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Their deaths bring to 232 the total number of Fort Carson soldiers killed in Iraq, said Karen Linne, a post spokeswoman. The bombing equaled the deadliest for Fort Carson soldiers since the current Iraq campaign began, Linne said.

Marshall's father, Drew Marshall, told the Athens Banner-Herald his son was in his second tour of duty.

"We're devastated by this loss, but we honor his service," Drew Marshall said. "We're very proud of him, and I consider him and all the other people who are volunteering ... over there as heroes."

After the attack, Iraqi reinforcements, along with helicopters, tanks and armored vehicles, converged on Mosul for what Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pledged would be a decisive battle against al-Qaida in its last major urban stronghold.