Local Paper Uncovers Another Mysterious U.S. Death in Iraq

By Greg Mitchell

Published: December 02, 2007 10:15 PM ET
NEW YORK Although the U.S. death toll is down in Iraq, many troops continue to perish in what the military officially announces as "noncombat" or "nonhostile" incidents. An investigation is launched but the press rarely learns the result.

However, local papers often obtain information directly from family members, exposing death by vehicle accident, friendly fire, illness or suicide.