Michael A. Diraimondo, Christopher A. Golby, Philip A. Johnson, Jr., and Ian D. Manuel

The Department of Defense announced the deaths of four DUSTOFF soldiers who were killed when their UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed Jan. 8 near Fallujah, Iraq. The soldiers were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and members of the 571st Medical Company out of Fort Carson, CO. SPC  Michael A. Diraimondo, 22, of Simi Valley, Calif.; SPC Christopher A. Golby, 26, of Johnstown, Pa.; Chief Warrant Officer Philip A. Johnson, Jr., 31, of Alabama; and Chief Warrant Officer Ian D. Manuel, 23, of Florida, were all assigned to the 571st Medical Company, Fort Carson officials said. Their names will be added to the DUSTOFF memorial located at Fort Sam Houston’s Medical Department Museum along with the names of three other 571st Medical Company crewmembers who died May 9th, 2003 when their UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed in the Tigris River near Baghdad. A dedication ceremony honoring these seven new names on the DUSTOFF memorial was held on 21 February 2004 during the DUSTOFF Reunion. A total of 257 names now are a part of that memorial.