Pennsylvania Soldier Dies in Non-Hostile Incident
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Defense announced the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Travis M. Stottlemyer, 20, of Hatfield, died August 17 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Manama, Bahrain. He was assigned to the 3rd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Forces, Norfolk, Va. The incident is currently under investigation.

Pennsylvania Soldier Dies in Non-Combat Related Incident
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Defense announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Pfc. Jonathan L. Luscher, 20, of Scranton, Pa., died August 17 at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Scranton, Pa. The incident is under investigation.

DoD Marks 60th Anniversary Of Armed Forces And Civil Service Integration
WASHINGTON, DC -- Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Wednesday celebrated the 60th anniversary of the desegregation of the armed forces and the federal civil service in a ceremony at the Pentagon. Executive Order 9980, which President Truman signed on July 26, 1948, created a Fair Employment Board to eliminate racial discrimination in federal employment. Executive Order 9981, signed the same day, began the process of eliminating segregated units and occupational specialties from the post-World War II military.

Navy Commissions New Guided Missile Destroyer Sterett
WASHINGTON, DC -- The newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Sterett, will be commissioned Saturday, August 9, during a 7 p.m. EDT ceremony in Baltimore, Md., at the South Locust Point Marine Terminal.