Ind. Guard says 4 GIs killed in Afghanistan

Ind. Guard says 4 GIs killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Jan 7, 2012 15:41:36 EST
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana National Guard on Saturday said four Indiana guardsmen were killed in action in Afghanistan.

A National Guard statement said the soldiers were members of the 713th Engineer Company, headquartered in Valparaiso, and were conducting combat route clearance operations.

The statement does not indicate how the men died or where they died in Afghanistan.

The Guard identified the fallen soldiers as:

• Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger of Indianapolis.

• Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt of Merrillville, Ind.

• Spc. Christopher A. Patterson of Aurora, Ind.

• Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr. of Hamlet, Ind.

The Pentagon had not formally announced the casualties as of late Saturday afternoon.

In a statement, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said that he was informed of the guardsmen’s deaths Saturday morning and that he’s praying for their families.
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