Sgt.Andy

(reprinted from DuluthNewsTribune.com, December 4, 2005)

Wisconsin Marine among 10 killed

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOMAH, Wis. – A sergeant from Wisconsin was one of 10 Marines killed Thursday by an improvised explosive device in Iraq, authorities said Saturday.

Sgt. Andy Stevens, 29, of Tomah, Wis., was killed while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar province, the Department of Defense said in a statement Saturday. The attack, which injured 11 others, was the deadliest against American troops in four months.

Stevens was a 1995 graduate of Tomah High School, according to a statement released by the Marines Saturday night.

“The family of Andy A. Stevens is extremely proud of him and his service in the Marine Corps and to this nation,” the statement said.

Stevens’ family did not want to make any public comments, the statement said.

Stevens, who joined the Marines in June 1995 and was serving as a scout sniper, was deployed to Iraq with his unit in July, the Marine Corps said.

Stevens’ father, Allen, lives in Tomah and his mother, Kaye Olson, lives in Maryland Heights, Mo., the Corps said.

“The family is in mourning, and they wish not to be disturbed right now,” said 1st Sgt. Christopher Campbell of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Center in Madison.