William F. Manuel
Profile
Age: 34
From: Kinder, La.
Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade, Louisiana Army National Guard, Lake Charles, La.
Incident: Army Staff Sgt. William F. Manuel was killed Jan. 10 when an improvised explosive device hit his military vehicle in Baghdad. Also
Died: January 10, 2005
Louisiana National Guardsman killed in Iraq
Associated Press
PINEVILLE, La. — A Louisiana soldier was killed in Iraq when a roadside bomb blew up the heavily armored Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was in — just four days after a similar attack killed six soldiers from Louisiana.
Killed Monday was Staff Sgt. Bill Manuel of Oberlin, family members said. Also killed in the explosion was Sgt. Robert Sweeney III of Pineville.
Both were members of the 256th Infantry Brigade of the Louisiana National Guard.
American officials said that in addition to the two soldiers who were killed, four were wounded in the attack.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of our fallen heroes and to the entire 256th family,” Gov. Kathleen Blanco said in a news release.
“To those soldiers who are wounded, I pray that God will restore your health and give you great comfort.”
A spokesman for the...