Fort Bliss Soldier Identified As Latest Casualty

FORT BLISS, TX – A Fort Bliss Soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom died Sept. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident Sept. 14 in Baghdad.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Pfc. Brandon T. Thorsen, 22, of Trenton, Fla, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Thorsen, an Infantryman (MOS 11B), entered the Army from Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 16, 2005.

His previous assignments include Fort Benning, Ga. Thorsen’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal. Thorsen was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. A memorial ceremony in honor of this fallen Soldier will be coordinated and announced at a later date. Soldiers from the 4-1 BCT deployed to Southwest Asia in late October, early November 2006, to provide stability and security operations.

This brings the total number of casualties sustained by the 4-1 BCT to 27.