Military, National, Park Forest

DOD Identifies Army, Air Force Casualties


Veterans fold the American Flag at Memorial Day ceremony in 2019 in Park Forest
Veterans reverently fold the American Flag at the Memorial Day ceremony on the Park Forest Village Green on May 27, 2019. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Washington, D.C.-(ENEWSPF)- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two service members who were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Both service members died March 11, 2020, when their units were engaged by enemy indirect fire at Camp Taji, Iraq.  The incident is under investigation.

The deceased are:

  • Army Spc. Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias, 27, of Hanford, California.
  • Air Force Staff Sgt. Marshal D. Roberts, 28, of Owasso, Oklahoma.

Mendez Covarrubias was assigned to 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Roberts was assigned to the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard.


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