Miami Casualties in the Iraq War

Over 4,000 members of the American military have died serving our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The war in Iraq has taken a particularly devastating toll on the Miami community. To date, sixteen local soldiers, sailors and Marines have given their lives in service to our nation. In a recent analysis of the war’s impact on local communities, Miami ranked ninth in a listing of cities hardest hit by the war.

This page serves to commemorate the lives of Miami residents who lost their lives in Iraq. The information contained comes from Department of Defense releases. If you feel that I have accidentally omitted a name, please e-mail me the information and I will include it upon verification.

1. Pfc. Charles M. Sims, 18, of Miami, Fla., drowned on Oct. 3, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq. Sims was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company, Fort Stewart, Ga.
2. Sgt. Edmond L. Randle, 26, of Miami, Fla., was killed Jan. 17, 2004 north of Taji, Iraq. Randle was one of three soldiers killed while conducting a surveillance sweep for IEDs north of Baghdad when the attack occurred. Randle was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
3. Pfc. Jeremy Ricardo Ewing, 22, of Miami, Fla. died on April 29, 2004, in Baghdad, Iraq, while part of a dismounted improvised explosive device sweep patrol, when a vehicle approached his unit, and the driver detonated a bomb. He was assigned to the Army's 4thBattalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
4. Capt. Christopher J. Kenny, 32, of Miami, Fla. died May 3, 2004, in Balad, Iraq, when his military vehicle left the road and flipped over in a canal. He was assigned to the 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Vilseck, Germany.
5. Cpl. Romulo J. Jimenez II, 21, of Miami, Fla. died Nov. 10, 2004 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
6. Staff Sgt. Jude R. Jonaus, 27, of Miami, Fla. died on Sept. 6, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV causing it to rollover. He was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
7. Sgt. Franklin R. Vilorio, 26, of Miami, Fla. died on Sept. 6, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV causing it to rollover. He was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
8. Spc. Roland E. Calderon-Ascencio, 21, of Miami, Fla. died of injuries sustained in Misiab, Iraq on April 12, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. He soldiers was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
9. Cpl. Alexander Jordan, 31, of Miami, Fla., died on Sept. 10, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered when he encountered enemy forces using small arms fire during combat operations. Jordan was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
10. Lance Cpl. Rene Martinez, 20, of Miami, Fla., died Sept. 24, 2006, while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
11. Pfc. Roger A. Suarez-Gonzalez, 21 of Miami, Fla., died Dec. 4, 2006, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, of injuries suffered from small arms fire while conducting security and observation operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
12. Pfc. Junior Cedeno Sanchez, 20, of Miami, Fla., died May 28, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his position during a dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
13. Staff Sgt. Donnie D. Dixon, 37, of Miami, died Sept. 29, 2007, in Baloor, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
14. Pfc. Marius L. Ferrero, 23, of Miami, Fla., died November 18, 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated during a mounted patrol in Baquabah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
15. Petty Officer 1st Class Luis A. Souffront, 25,of Miami, Fla., died Feb. 7, 2008, from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device while serving in combat operations in Iraq. He was assigned to an East Coast based SEAL team.
16. Maj. Mark E. Rosenberg, 32, of Miami Lakes, Fla., died April 8, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Rest in peace, fallen heroes.