Marine from Waterbury dies in Iraq

Marine from Waterbury dies in Iraq
May 31, 2008

Connecticut military deaths. May be updated.

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) _ A 21-year-old Marine from Waterbury has died during his first tour in Iraq, according to his family's pastor.

The military notified Christian Cotner's family on Friday about his death. Details about how and when he died had not been released Saturday, and the military had not publicly announced his death.

He is the 40th military member with ties to Connecticut who has died in Iraq and Afghanistan since U.S. operations began in those countries in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Two civilians from the state have also died.

The Cotner family's pastor, the Rev. Kenneth Frazier Jr. of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury, said Saturday that the family was too grief-stricken to make public statements, but planned to do so soon.

"They would like for the public to respect their grieving process and they will make themselves available at some point when they are ready and able," Frazier said.
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DoD Identifies Marine Casualty


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Christian S. Cotner, 20, of Waterbury, Conn., died May 30 from a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

The incident is currently under investigation.