Minnesota National Guard Soldier Dies In Iraq - IED Explosion Claims Life of St. Paul Resident

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Minnesota National Guard Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant James M. Wosika Jr. (pronounced “Wah-sick-ah”), Age 24, of St. Paul was killed during a foot patrol on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at approximately 3 p.m. Iraq time.    He was on patrol in Fallujah with Soldiers of the Crookston-based B Co., 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry when he was struck by an IED.   No other Minnesota National Guard Soldiers were injured in the accident.

“The loss of SGT Wosika is a tragedy, “said Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, the Adjutant General of Minnesota, “he was proudly serving his State and Nation in a combat zone when he was taken from us.   It is with a heavy heart that I once again ask the citizens of Minnesota to remember this Soldier and his family in their prayers.”

Members of the media are invited to a press conference at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at the Minnesota National Guard Headquarters, Veterans Service Building, 20 West 12th Street, St. Paul, Minn. 55155. Lt. Col. Kevin Gutknecht, the Rear Detachment Commander of the 1st of the 34th Brigade Combat Team will make a statement to the media.

The media is invited to generate remote broadcasts from the Minnesota National Guard Headquarters on Wednesday, January 10th after the press conference.

NOTICE TO NEWS EDITORS:

-The family requests that media inquiries be directed to the Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs Office at 651-268-8961. The family does not wish to be contacted by the media.

- Details of funeral service will be provided as they become available.