2 US Soldiers Killed in Artillery ‘Mishap’ While Fighting ISIS in Iraq, Pentagon Says

Sgt. Roshain E. Brooks, 30, of Brooklyn, at left; Sgt. Allen E. Stigler, 22, of Arlington, Texas, at right. (82nd Airborne Division)

Two U.S. soldiers were killed on Sunday during an artillery “mishap” while fighting in Iraq, according to a spokesman for the Pentagon.  

The soldiers were identified as 30-year-old Sgt. Roshain E. Brooks from Brooklyn, New York, and 22-year-old Sgt. Allen L. Stigler Jr. from Arlington, Texas. 

A U.S. Army artillery unit was firing on a mortar position targeting the ISIS terrorist group on Aug. 13 “when a mishap occurred,” Army Col. Rob Manning said, NBC4 reported. 

Manning said there was no evidence that ISIS was involved in the deaths of the two American soldiers. He said the incident is still under investigation so he cannot provide any further details. 

The pair were serving as cannon crew members, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. 

The 82nd Airborne Division on Aug. 15, honored the two fallen soldiers in a Facebook post. 

“Tonight we honor the memory of two 82nd Airborne Paratroopers killed in Iraq on 13 August while engaging the enemy with artillery,” the post reads. 

Col Pat. Work commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, said the pair were both American patriots who did their duty. 

“Sergeant Brooks and Stigler were courageous patriots and Paratroopers who served our coalition and the people of Iraq with extraordinary commitment.

“Our team extends its most sincere condolences to their Families and friends. Their personal commitments to our campaign against ISIS were extraordinary and we are incredibly proud to have served with them,” he said. 

The Facebook post has been shared over 41,500 times as the community offered their prayers and condolences. 

Five other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, Manning said. 

Brooks first joined the army in July 2012, and was assigned to Fort Hood in Texas. Last year he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and was deployed to Afghanistan between June to November 2014. That deployment was his first to Iraq. 

Brooks has been awarded with multiple medals, including the Army Commendation Medal with “C” Device, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Both Stigler and Brooks were also awarded the Bronze Star Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge, the Pentagon says.

From NTD.tv