By Jonathan Tamayo
Missing Call Letters
Flags at the state Capitol are lowered to half-staff Monday to pay tribute to two Californians (one from Orange County) that were killed in a suicide attack in Iraq.
Pvt. Bryce Gautier, 22, of Cypress was killed in the April 10 attack in Mosul. The attack was described as the deadliest assault against U.S. troops in Iraq in a year. Bryce was killed with fellow Californian Bryan E. Hall, 32, of Elk Grove, and three other soldiers.
“Staff Sgt. Bryan Hall and Private Second Class Bryce Gautier were true patriots who willingly put themselves in danger to protect their fellow citizens,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Maria and I join all Californians in mourning the loss of these brave men and we we are forever indebted to their service. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time,” he continued.
As of Sunday, April 12, 2009, at least 4,272 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The soldiers died when their military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, Fort Carson, CO.
You can sign a digital guest book for Pvt. Gautier at legacy.com.
