Ambassador Kyota would like to convey his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of our fallen soldier, Meresebang Ngiraked.  His ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and liberty will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,

Ambassador Hersey Kyota
Embassy of the Republic of Palau
 

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Palauan Soldier Killed in Iraq
By Eric Palacios (Pacific Daily News, 6/14/2007)

Another son of Micronesia has made the ultimate sacrifice and his death now makes this year the deadliest for the region since 2001.

U.S. Army Cpl. Meresebang Ngiraked, 21, of Koror, Republic of Palau, was killed June 10 in Karbala, Iraq, of wounds he suffered from a vehicle-based improvised explosive device, the Army's Public Affairs Office in Fort Lewis, Wash., said.

Ngiraked was assigned to Battery B, 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, which deployed to Iraq in February. Two other soldiers were killed with Ngiraked in the blast.

Ngiraked is the 22nd son from the Micronesia region to give his life while fighting the war, and the second from the Republic of Palau, joining U.S. Marine Cpl. JayGee Meluat, 24, who was killed on Sept. 13, 2004.

His death marks the eighth from the region this year and comes less than a month after Army Sgt. Iosiwo Uruo was killed defending freedom in Iraq.

Both Ngiraked and Uruo were last stationed at Fort Lewis.

Ngiraked joined the Army in September 2004, a Fort Lewis Public Affairs Office release stated, adding that he was stationed in Korea in 2005 and relocated to Fort Lewis with his unit in April 2006.

Ngiraked's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, said Catherine Caruso, Fort Lewis spokeswoman.

His military education includes the military occupational specialty 14S, or Avenger Air and Missile Defense Crewmember, qualification course, Caruso added.