Stryker soldier was injured trying to help others, wife says

Iraq blast caused 'chaotic scene'
Stryker soldier was injured trying to help others, wife says
Saturday, April 18, 2009
BY BARBARA MILLER
Of the Patriot-News
Reed Preece and three other soldiers were on a routine patrol north of Baghdad on Sunday when a blast rocked their Stryker, throwing the 24-year-old first lieutenant off the combat vehicle.

Preece, of Gettysburg, and another officer whose name has not been released by the military hurried to free two soldiers trapped in the front of the burning vehicle, said Preece's wife, Heather.

Her husband's twin brother, Ian, who is also in Iraq with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, managed to call her the morning after the attack at her in-laws' house and tell her what happened.


"The vehicle was engulfed in flames. It was a very chaotic scene," Heather Preece said Ian Preece told her. Her husband injured his knee as he worked with the other officer to free the trapped men.

Pfc. Mitchell Baldwin, 19, of Chambersburg, and Pfc. Brian Miller of Carlisle had more severe injuries and were flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, according to military officials. The patrol was south of Camp Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad along the Tigris River, when it was attacked.
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Iraq blast caused 'chaotic scene'