
DERBY, Kan. — Two young men who called this south-central Kansas town their home have now died in Iraq, both since major fighting was declared over May 1 and both from what were called non-combat gunshot wounds.
Army Spc. Dustin K. McGaugh this week died in Balad. The Defense Department and Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s office said Thursday that he died after being wounded by non-hostile fire.
On June 15, Pfc. Ryan Cox, a 19-year-old Marine and 2002 graduate of Derby High School, died near Najaf. Military officials told his family that an accidental discharge of another soldier’s weapon struck Cox in the abdomen.
A third serviceman from Derby died this year in...