Salem-News.Com -- (WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Oregon National Guard reports that 38-year old Sergeant Earl D. Wernerţ Died in Rashid, Iraq August 28th, 2009 when his convoy was struck by an explosive formed penetrator and was serving with the 41st Special Troops Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Sgt. Werner was on his third deployment with the Oregon National Guard. His first deployment was as part of the 2nd Battalion, 162 Infantry in 2004.

Later he deployed with the 234th Engineer Company in 2007 before transferring to the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team for deployment.

During his time with the Oregon National Guard, Werner was awarded the Bronze Star, two Army Commendation Medals and the Combat Action Badge.

He is survived by his wife Casey and son Charles, age 19 of the Amboy, Washington area.

The Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Ken Nygren stated in a message from Iraq, "All the STB leadership were present to support our soldiers at the ramp ceremony in Iraq. It was a sad event, but very evident that the unit is very cohesive and still very proudly STB. They are serving Oregon and the nation well."

==Another news story==

The Associated Press -- Earl D. Werner was an animal lover who raised horses and enjoyed fishing.

“He actually went fishing in Baghdad,” said his father-in-law, Duane Royer. “It wasn’t any fish he’d want to keep, but he did it.”

The Idaho native was a truck driver who became a decorated soldier after joining the Oregon Army National Guard. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq and later returned there for his third deployment.

Werner, 38, was killed Aug. 28 in Rashid, Iraq, when insurgents attacked his vehicle with a penetrating explosive. His hometown was listed as Mondovi, Wis., and he was based in Portland, Ore.

“He had such a great caring for the other people he worked with in the National Guard,” his father-in-law said. “He felt very responsible for them. That was a driving force of him wanting to do it again. He wanted to take care of people.”

That sense of caring also extended outside of work. When a landslide blocked a road near his home, Werner rounded up equipment to clear the way, Royer said.

“He was a very talented young man who knew how to do his job,” he said.

Werner is survived by his wife, Casey, and his 19-year-old son.