POW-MIA  United States  United Kingdom  Denmark  Bulgaria  Poland  Spain  Ukraine  Italy  Thailand  Estonia  El Salvador  Netherlands  Slovakia  Latvia  Hungary  Australia  Kazakhstan  Fiji  Romania  Canada  South Korea
   The Iraq Page
 
Remembering Those who Lost Their Lives
in the Iraq War of 2003 - 2006
 
 
 Welcome to The Iraq Page Wednesday, October 08 2008 @ 06:34 AM EDT  
 Home  :  Contribute  :  Directory  :  Web Resources  :  List of War Dead  :  Printable List of Dead  :  About the Iraq Page  
Articles
Home
Operation Enduring Freedom
Individuals Missing (1)
Individuals US (4150)
Individuals GB (161)
Individuals Italy (32)
Individuals Spain (18)
Individuals Poland (17)
Individuals Ukraine (9)
Individuals Bulgaria (8)
Individuals Denmark (7)
Individuals El Salvador (5)
Individuals Australia (2)
Individuals Slovakia (2)
Individuals Netherland (2)
Individuals Latvia (2)
Individuals Estonia (2)
Individuals Romania (3)
Individuals Czech Republic (1)
Individuals South Korea (1)
Individuals Georgia (4)
Individuals Canada (1)
Individuals Fiji (1)
Individuals Kazakhstan (1)
Individuals Hungary (1)
Individuals Azerbaijan (1)
Individuals Thailand (1)
General News (353)
Site Index
Who's Online
Guest Users: 10
Ads
User Functions
:

:

Don't have an account yet? Sign up as a New User
Lost your password?

James F. Costello

    
Friday, April 14 2006 @ 08:07 AM EDT
Contributed by: River97
Views: 1,153
Individuals USwww.stltoday.com -- As a young boy, Oakville native Jamie Costello was a staunch patriot, listening to tales of how his paternal great-grandfather in the U.S. cavalry chased the likes of Pancho Villa.

Costello's maternal grandfather was a second lieutenant in the cavalry as well, so it was fitting that Costello wound up with a cavalry regiment when he enlisted in the Army in 2004.

"He was a history buff, his hero was George Patton, and he felt so strongly about the mission in Iraq," said his mother, Marie Costello.

Costello, 27, was deployed to Iraq in December and hadn't seen much combat until Tuesday, his mother said. That day, Costello was one of three U.S. soldiers killed in combat in Taji, Iraq, the Department of Defense confirmed Thursday.

The Pentagon said an improvised explosive device detonated near their Bradley Fighting Vehicle and they subsequently came under small-arms fire. All three soldiers were assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Officially known as Pfc. James F. Costello III, friends and family called him Jamie. He was a 1996 graduate of Oakville Senior High School. He played four years for the school's hockey team, the Oakville Tigers. He was the oldest of three children.

After high school, Costello spent several years working for the U.S. Postal Service. He passed up a full-time job at the post office to join the Army. A close friend, Matt Pretto, said Costello was a fan of NASCAR and driver Tony Stewart and would often go to races at Gateway.

"He was very fun-loving, very outgoing," Pretto said. "And very patriotic, especially when it came to the major U.S. wars, he was really into the history of it."

Costello's mother said she last spoke with her son by telephone on March 28. "He loved what he was doing," she recalled. "He said it was very calm."

He told his mother that he was among soldiers protecting a town called Saba al Bor.

"They had a very close relationship with the Iraqi people and the children," she said. He talked about how soldiers gave soccer balls and candy to the Iraqi children, and how the Iraqi townspeople would "rat out" any insurgents and grab their own weapons to help in their own defense.

On Thursday, the family was grieving inside their Oakville home, as an American flag flew at half-staff on a flagpole near the front walk, and a black ribbon hung from the mailbox.

"We're kind of numb right now," Marie Costello said. "When we get Jamie home, that's when it's all going to come tumbling down."

The Pentagon identified the soldiers killed with Costello as Cpl. Joseph A. Blanco, 25, of Bloomington, Calif., and Pfc. George R. Roehl Jr., 21, of Manchester, N.H.

As of Thursday, at least 2,368 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 1,853 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

At least 34 members of the U.S. military killed in Iraq had lived in the St. Louis region.
 
What's Related

Story Options

Trackback

Trackback URL for this entry: http://iraq.pigstye.net/trackback.php/CostelloJamesF

No trackback comments for this entry.
James F. Costello | 5 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
James F. Costello
Authored by: anonymous on Friday, April 14 2006 @ 09:58 PM EDT
James,
I would like to say thank you to you and the two other soldiers who were killed in that Bradley with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Ready And Forward"(10th Cav Motto)
James F. Costello
Authored by: anonymous on Friday, April 14 2006 @ 11:31 PM EDT
Our hearts go out to Jamie's Family. Your son was a brave man, who was not afraid to do what he believed in. Your son will not be forgotten.
Carol
Home of the Free...Because of the Brave
James F. Costello
Authored by: anonymous on Saturday, April 15 2006 @ 08:44 AM EDT
To James and his very loving family. james knew the love you all had toward him. An he loved you all very deeply. Reflect on very precious faond memories shared with James. An you realize he is very much still in your heart now and forever. James thank you for serving our country and for being a military brother to our son. An I realize neither of you may have known one another. We lost our son: US Army Sgt. Gregory L. Wahl KIA Balad, Iraq 05-03-04! James you have not died in vain...and we need as fallen families to honour you! That no one ever forget your service, our wounded, our fallen, the families and those serving with you in harms way. James you are someone's someone......my heart and prays are with you and your family. God Bless !
James F. Costello
Authored by: anonymous on Monday, April 17 2006 @ 05:50 PM EDT
Jamie, Remember the last night you were in town...all of us laughing, kissing, hugging? You said,"Why you guys hugging me like your never gonna see me again?" Well I hope you were feeling our hugs, kisses, and prayers everyday you woke up. You are a man of honor as well as your friends in Iraq. Thank you, for fighting for our country! Thank you, for letting us live in peace and out of enemy fire. I love you and you will never be forgotton. Find my Aunt Laurie in heaven she will take care of you! Love, Me
James F. Costello
Authored by: anonymous on Monday, April 17 2006 @ 06:25 PM EDT
Jamie was one of my best friends and I would like to thank those who have posted something from the bottom of my heart, I know his family and loved ones appreciate it. To the Roehl and Blanco families, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences, your loved ones died with mine.
DR.Charles Sottoriva
 Copyright © 2008 The Iraq Page
 All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.		 Powered By Geeklog 
Created this page in 0.42 seconds