Winona soldier dies after being injured in Iraq

[sabra]

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=104732

A soldier from Winona has died after being injured in Iraq.

Army Sergeant Mike Benson suffered brain injuries and burns August second when a suicide bomber struck his patrol in Baghdad.

David Benson of Winona says his brother was transferred to a hospital in Germany and then to the Bethesda Medical Center in Maryland. He died yesterday morning after being taken off of life support.

Benson was a 19-year veteran of the U.S. Army and was serving out of Fort Drum, New York. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth.

[txindy]

1. So, do they count him in the offical casualty total or not?

I've always been unclear about that. They certainly should.

[ClintonTyree]

2. Nope.......

he didn't get killed in action. His death is not counted in the official toll. Great accounting system, huh? It makes you wonder what the REAL toll in Iraq is in lost lives? Disgusting.

Here's to you, soldier! :patriot:

[Cha]

4. In some article I think

the number was 4,000..but I could be wrong caus I can't find where I read it or who wrote. Ted Rall comes to mind and DUers were wondering if that could possibly be true?

[ET Awful]

5. That's incorrect. He is counted in the official toll, just as other

victims of roadside bombs and suicide bombs have been.

[Cocoa]

8. are you sure?

every time I've seen the total bumped up, it's been from a recent death in Iraq, I've never seen it bumped up by a death in a hospital.

[ET Awful]

9. Check here and look at the numerous listings of IED victims, etc.

All with links to centcom, etc. Give a day or two and this one will most likely appear as well.

http://icasualties.org/oif/prdDetails.aspx?hndRef=8-2005 (forgot link, sorry).

Check how many suicide bomb victims, IED victims, etc. are listed and the associated links. Benson is on the list, but the centcom link is not yet there (like I say give it a day or two).

For instance, look at Terry Ball who died in Bethesda on the 5th. He is counted at centcom.

[Pinboy]

10. Link:

http://icasualties.org/oif/default.aspx

[Cocoa]

11. thanks

I didn't realize they did that. As you said, Terry Ball was injured in June and they did count him when he died in Aug. :-(

[ET Awful]

12. I'm not discounting their tragic deaths, just trying to make sure we

stay accurate. Leave the misrepresentations to those who do it best.

I was under the same impression as you until I saw this information, but I have yet to see any proof of some casualties not being counted . . . okay let me rephrase . . . some military casualties. We know damned well there are a huge number of civilians that haven't been counted.

:(

[Tesha]

6. Wait, doesn't someone have to come along and yell at you...

Wait, doesn't someone have to come along an yell at you now and say
"Stop spreading that evil ugly rumor!!!! that deaths outside of
theatre aren't counted in the KIA total.

But it will be interesting to see if the military announces this
poor schmuck as part of the official tally.

Tesha

[Tesha]

7. Ah! I knew it! There they are!

But it will be *STILL* interesting to see if the military announces this
poor schmuck as part of the official tally.

Frankly, I think we oughtto start a project to get in touch with *EVERY*
death (parent's siblings, obits, etc.) that has been attributed to this
war and see how many we count up to.

Tesha

[rodeodance]

13. Yes, he gets counted. may he rest in peace.

[deadparrot]

3. RIP.

...