Re: Missing Soldier Found - Remains ID'd

Date: April 25, 2004

"IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2004

DoD Announces Change-in-Status of an Army Soldier Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
                                              
Sgt. Elmer C. Krause, 40, of Greensboro, N.C., has been unaccounted for since April 9, in Iraq, when his convoy came under attack by individuals using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.  On April 23 his remains were recovered.  Sgt. Krause was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 724th Transportation Company, Bartonville, Ill.

The incident remains under investigation.

For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000."

AND

"Remains Found Of Missing Soldier

Girlfriend speaks about Krause's Dedication to Defend Country

April 24, 2004

FAIRFIELD -- Army reservist sergant Elmer Krause from Vallejo, missing in iraq since april 9th was confirmed dead Saturday.

One day before his 41st birthday.

Saturday his family and friends talked about the man who made the military his life.

Sharon Badget his girlfriend says "when I found out that he wasn't coming home, he's not coming home, it was just like a ton of bricks hit me."

Badget remembers her boyfriend Elmer Krause who died when Iraqi insurgents attacked his convoy April 9th.

The North Carolina woman got the call this morning.

For the past two weeks, Krause had been considered missing in action.

His girlfriend talked about what being a soldier meant to the 16-year military veteran.

"He said yeah I'm a little scared too, but I'm proud to be a soldier, he told me, I'm proud to do what I can." said Badget.

At Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Elmer Krause's brother Jim spoke about how committed the family is to the military effort.

Jim Krause said, "I know we all support the armed forces whatever branches the armed services are over there, not only our country, but other countries that are involved in it."

Krause, grew up in Vallejo and served in the Navy, before joining the Army as a Reservist.

Sargeant Krause leaves behind an eight-year old son.

Friends say he looked forward to every-other-weekend with his boy.

And as for his military committment, a friend said, "He told me I want to go cause I volunteered so another young man wouldn't have to go in his place."

Another soldier and a contract worker private first class Keith Maupin of Ohio was abducted in the same attack and, though paraded by his captors in front of cameras, is still missing.

© 2004, KTXL"