RSS FeedSANTA FE - U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Marshal A. Westbrook died at 8 a.m. Saturday in Baghdad, Iraq, after suffering head wounds from an explosive device.
|
|
General Montoya notified Governor Bill Richardson that Specialist Westbrook was killed in action on Saturday, Oct. 1. According to the Army Casualty Report, Specialist Westbrook died from head injuries caused by exploding shrapnel. Specialist Westbrook's home of record is Farmington, N.M. He was born on July 25, 1962, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The 126th Military Police Co. was called to active duty in October 2004 and is expected to return to New Mexico in March 2006.
Governor Richardson spoke Saturday with Specialist Westbrook's wife Joleen and with his father, Marshal. "I conveyed my deepest sorrows to his family and told them New Mexicans and all Americans would never forget his service. Specialist Westbrook is the first New Mexico National Guard member to die in combat in Iraq. I am deeply saddened by his death and I ask all New Mexicans to join me in honoring his passing. I will order the flags at half staff in his memory for the life he lived and his service to our nation," Governor Richardson said.
New Mexico was the first state in the nation to enact full insurance benefits for all members of the New Mexico National Guard. Specialist Westbrook was married to Joleen Westbrook and they had five children. Specialist Westbrook was the son of Marshal and Ruth Westbrook. His wife and family will receive $400,000 from his insurance policy.
Comments