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Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008

Merced soldier dies in Baghdad

Army Pvt. Janelle F. King, who died "from a non-combat-related cause," is the fifth Merced County soldier to die in Iraq.

The county recorded its fifth death from the war in Iraq as the Army said Pvt. Janelle F. King, 23, of Merced, died Thursday in Baghdad "from a non-combat-related cause."

King was a health care specialist with the 115th Combat Support Hospital from Fort Polk, La. In previous Iraq deployments, the military hospital helped treat Iraqi detainees as well as American troops.

In a news release, the Army said that "circumstances surrounding the soldier's death are under investigation."

Since the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, 4,143 American troops have died there.

Jamecia Jackson, 45, King's mother, declined to comment on her daughter's death. "We're really close-knit as a family," she said, "and we haven't decided what to do yet."

She did say that she herself spent 10 years in the Air Force and that King's father, from whom she is divorced, is still in the Air Force.

King didn't attend Merced-area schools.

The Army said King had arrived at Fort Polk in January after joining the service in May 2007.

Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, called it "a shame that we've lost another of American's finest. We need to honor those who have served, and I think we need to bring an end to the conflict as soon as we possibly can."

"My heart goes out to the family," Merced Mayor Ellie Wooten said. "We worry about the little things, and they're putting their lives on the line."

She added that although it's an election year, she doesn't hear many people talking about the war in Iraq. "I think things like this deepen the wound and make it harder to talk about," she said. "All we can do is pray this is over soon."

The city of Merced will fly the flags at municipal buildings at half-staff in honor of King and will remain at half-staff until after services have been held for her.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement on King's death: "Our nation has suffered a great loss with the death of Pvt. Janelle King. She served bravely to protect the safety of her fellow citizens and Californians will never forget her sacrifice. Maria and I send our heartfelt sympathy to Janelle's family and friends as they mourn this tremendous loss."

In honor of King, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff, the governor said.

U.S. Air Force veteran Ed Mentz, 70, who served from 1956 to 1976, said the death will hit those in the military community harder than average residents. "There's a camaraderie among veterans. A bond forms," he said. "It affects them harder. Unless you have been in that situation you can't understand. It's like losing a part of yourself, but it's unexplainable really."

Mentz serves as the president of the San Joaquin chapter of the National Association of Uniformed Services and as a commander with the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. "It's sad when anyone makes the supreme sacrifice in combat or a combat zone," he said. "They were still defending their country."

Merced County's first fatality in Iraq was Army Pfc. Karina Lau, of Livingston, killed Nov. 2, 2003. Army Cpl. Cesar Granados of Le Grand was killed Sept. 15, 2006. Marine Cpl. Josh Pickard was killed Dec. 19, 2006. Army Staff Sgt. Frank Gasper was killed May 25.