RELEASED BY:Lt Col. Greg Hapgood

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
OFFICE:   (515) 252-4582
CELL:       (515) 971-6385
HOME:     (515) 986-5725

RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

IOWA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER KILLED IN IRAQ

The Iowa National Guard regrets to announce the death of Sgt. Daniel L. Sesker, 22, of Ogden, Iowa. Sesker was killed during combat operations when insurgent forces detonated an improvised explosive device directly adjacent to the truck in which he was the gunner. The attack occurred near Bayji, Iraq at approximately 3:30 p.m., Iraq time, on April 6, 2006. He was assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard’s Troop C, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry, LeMars, Iowa.

Daniel L. Sesker was born in Boone, Iowa in April 1983 and graduated from Ogden High School in 2001, where he participated in wrestling. He had attended Iowa Central Community College, where he studied Criminal Law. Sesker enlisted in Troop B, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry (Camp Dodge) in August 2000 as a Calvary Scout. He deployed with Troop B to the Balkans from 2003-04 as part of Kosovo Force (KFOR). He later transferred to Troop C in April 2005 and deployed with the unit to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, he served as part of the Task Force 49th Military Police Personal Security Detail.

Sesker is survived by his mother and stepfather, Mysty R. and Marvin L. Stumbo, his father, Dennis L. Sesker, his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Sara Sesker of Hawaii, his sister Jennifer J. Sesker, stepbrother Brian Stumbo, and fiancé Angie Garey.

The family of Sgt. Daniel L. Sesker issued the following statement:

“Dan was proud of his service in Kosovo in addition to his current service in Iraq. Dan was also a police officer in Gowrie, Iowa. He was known for his sense of humor, love of family and loyalty to his friends.

“Dan is loved by more people than can be counted. He is the best friend that anyone could ask for with a personality that brings positive energy to any room he enters. An excited father-to-be, he took pride in learning his new role and sharing fatherhood with his battle buddies. He will be missed more than any words can explain and his presence will forever be longed for. Private Sesker (his brother) is currently serving as a cavalry scout with the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, stationed in Hawaii.

“The family thanks everyone for their support and prayers.”

The Stumbo and Sesker families ask that their privacy be respected at this time. Media representatives may contact the Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Office for additional information. Funeral arrangements are pending for Sgt. Sesker and details will be provided as they become available.

Approximately 160 Soldiers were mobilized from the Troop C, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry in July 2005 for Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism. The Soldiers arrived in the Iraq theater of operations in late-2005.

Troop C, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry, is based in LeMars. The unit performs reconnaissance and surveillance missions to assist commanders in planning and executing operations. The unit was previously deployed to the Balkans in 2003-2004, as part of KFOR 5B.

For questions concerning this news release as well as additional information about the operations, t raining, and activities of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard, please contact Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Officer, at (515) 252-4582 (office), (515) 971-6385 (cell), or (515) 986-5725 (home), or by e-mail at gregory.hapgood@ia.ngb.army.mil. You may also contact Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden, at (515) 252-4666 (office), (515) 480-7647 (cell), (515) 251-7335 (home), or by e-mail at duff.mcfadden@ia.ngb.army.mil.

IOWA NATIONAL GUARD
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