DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Gunnery Sergeant Javier Obleas-Prado Pena, 36, of Falls Church, Virginia, died December 1, 2004, at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from injuries received November 25, 2004, as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.  He was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

News media with questions about this Marine can contact the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 451-9033.

CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina - The Pentagon said Thursday that another Camp Lejeune Marine has died after being wounded in fighting last month in Iraq.

Gunnery Sergeant Javier Obleas-Prado Pena died Wednesday at a military hospital in Germany.

He was wounded a week ago in enemy action in Iraq's Anbar province, which includes Fallujah.

He was assigned to Second Reconnaissance Battalion, Second Marine Division, Second Marine Expeditionary Force.

At least 23 Marines from Camp Lejeune died in November, making it the bloodiest month of the Iraq war for the Onslow County base.

The Defense Department says 36-year-old Gunnery Sergeant Javier (hah-vee-AIR') Obleas-Prado (oh-BLAY'-us) Pena (PAY-na) died yesterday at the Landstuhl medical center in Germany.

Pena was injured November 25th in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

OBLEAS-PRADO PENA, JAVIER
GYSGT   US MARINE CORPS
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 12/07/1986 - 12/01/2004
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/04/1968
DATE OF DEATH: 12/01/2004
DATE OF INTERMENT: 12/09/2004
BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 8084
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

 Photo Courtesy of Holly, August 2005