Two 10th Mountain Division Soldiers Killed In Iraq

Fort Drum announced Thursday that two Fort Polk-based 10th Mountain Division Soldiers were killed during a mortar attack in Baghdad April 28.

Sergeant Mark A. Stone and Specialist Marcus C. Mathes were motor transport operators assigned to Company F, 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

A third soldier from the North Carolina National Guard was also killed and nine 4th BCT soldiers were injured in the same attack.

Stone, 22, originally from Buchanan Dam, Texas, joined the Army in September 2004.

He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and advanced individual training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before being assigned to Fort Polk in October 2007.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Mathes, 26, a native of Zephyr Hills, Florida, joined the Army in March 2005.

He completed basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and advanced individual training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before being assigned to Fort Polk in July 2005.

Mathes’ awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Both soldiers were on their second tour of combat duty in Iraq.