Sgt. Dale G. Brehm of Turlock, California joined the military in 2001 with his father's encouragement, after graduating from Turlock Adult School the previous year. His interest in the military began in his teen years. On September 10, 2001, he called his father to tell him he accomplished his goal of becoming an Army Ranger, elite soldiers that make up the military's special forces. But the next day, everything changed. Terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., ushering in a new era for the military. He met his wife when they were both high school students and were married in 2003. Dale was scheduled to finish his second term with the Army in July and was looking forward to returning home and starting a family. He leaves his wife and his parents among others. He was awarded numerous decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. Posthumously awarded the purple heart. He was killed while serving in Iraq at age 23.
Army
2nd Battalion
75th Ranger Regiment
Fort Lewis, Wash.∼A 23-year-old Army Ranger from Turlock died Saturday in Iraq.
Sgt. Dale G.M. Brehm's family was notified Sunday of his death, his stepmother said. However, Linda Brehm declined to discuss details. The Army has not released information to the family, and an investigation is ongoing, she said.
The Department of Defense had no information about Brehm on its Web site Monday.
A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Monte Vista Chapel in Turlock.
Brehm, a 2000 graduate of Turlock Adult School, joined the military in 2001.
He married Raini Hogan of Modesto more than two years ago. The couple lived in Steilacoom, Wash., near Tacoma and Fort Lewis, where Brehm was stationed.
According to Bee archives, today would have been Brehm's 24th birthday.
In addition to his wife, Brehm is survived by his father and stepmother, Bill and Linda Brehm of Turlock; and his mother, Laura Williams of Riverbank.
In 2002, the Bee printed a letter to the editor from Brehm's father about his son's service:"As a father of an Army Airborne Ranger, I am apprehensive about the United States going to war. When ground troops are sent in, he will be one of the first to go. I cannot determine what kind of threat Saddam may be. That is what our intelligence is for, and if the threat is there, it must be taken out before more harm is done to Americans. I am very proud of my son for he is well-trained, ready and willing to go to war for his country."
The Rangers are part of the 3 percent or 4 percent of the military who make up Special Operations — elite soldiers with extensive training often assigned to dangerous missions. Brehm's airborne qualification meant he jumped out of planes and helicopters, a frequent method of travel for Special Operations soldiers.
Although information about Brehm's unit was not available Monday, the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment is based at Fort Lewis. The Special Operations Command Web site calls the 75th "the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army."Cpl.
Pat Tillman, the former professional football player who became a national symbol of patriotism in 2002 when he walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army, also was a member of that battalion. The Army first told Tillman's family and the public that he was killed by enemy fire as he led his Ranger team up a hill in Afghanistan in April 2004, the Tacoma News-Tribune reported recently. Five weeks went by before Army officials admitted the truth — that Tillman was downed by fire from his unit. Seven soldiers in Tillman's unit have faced disciplinary action. Still, three Army reviews have concluded that the shooting was accidental.
Now, the Defense Department inspector general has ordered another investigation, this time a criminal inquiry. Pentagon officials downplay the decision, saying the order is essentially the inspector general calling a "process foul on the Army." But military law experts say the criminal inquiry is as unusual as it sounds. According to the Iraq Casualty Coalition Web site, the last member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment to die in Iraq was 20-year-old Pfc. Nathan Stahl in September 2004.
Army Pfc. Oscar Sanchez of Modesto, who also was stationed at Fort Lewis, was killed in Iraq in December 2004.
Army
2nd Battalion
75th Ranger Regiment
Fort Lewis, Wash.∼A 23-year-old Army Ranger from Turlock died Saturday in Iraq.
Sgt. Dale G.M. Brehm's family was notified Sunday of his death, his stepmother said. However, Linda Brehm declined to discuss details. The Army has not released information to the family, and an investigation is ongoing, she said.
The Department of Defense had no information about Brehm on its Web site Monday.
A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Monte Vista Chapel in Turlock.
Brehm, a 2000 graduate of Turlock Adult School, joined the military in 2001.
He married Raini Hogan of Modesto more than two years ago. The couple lived in Steilacoom, Wash., near Tacoma and Fort Lewis, where Brehm was stationed.
According to Bee archives, today would have been Brehm's 24th birthday.
In addition to his wife, Brehm is survived by his father and stepmother, Bill and Linda Brehm of Turlock; and his mother, Laura Williams of Riverbank.
In 2002, the Bee printed a letter to the editor from Brehm's father about his son's service:"As a father of an Army Airborne Ranger, I am apprehensive about the United States going to war. When ground troops are sent in, he will be one of the first to go. I cannot determine what kind of threat Saddam may be. That is what our intelligence is for, and if the threat is there, it must be taken out before more harm is done to Americans. I am very proud of my son for he is well-trained, ready and willing to go to war for his country."
The Rangers are part of the 3 percent or 4 percent of the military who make up Special Operations — elite soldiers with extensive training often assigned to dangerous missions. Brehm's airborne qualification meant he jumped out of planes and helicopters, a frequent method of travel for Special Operations soldiers.
Although information about Brehm's unit was not available Monday, the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment is based at Fort Lewis. The Special Operations Command Web site calls the 75th "the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army."Cpl.
Pat Tillman, the former professional football player who became a national symbol of patriotism in 2002 when he walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army, also was a member of that battalion. The Army first told Tillman's family and the public that he was killed by enemy fire as he led his Ranger team up a hill in Afghanistan in April 2004, the Tacoma News-Tribune reported recently. Five weeks went by before Army officials admitted the truth — that Tillman was downed by fire from his unit. Seven soldiers in Tillman's unit have faced disciplinary action. Still, three Army reviews have concluded that the shooting was accidental.
Now, the Defense Department inspector general has ordered another investigation, this time a criminal inquiry. Pentagon officials downplay the decision, saying the order is essentially the inspector general calling a "process foul on the Army." But military law experts say the criminal inquiry is as unusual as it sounds. According to the Iraq Casualty Coalition Web site, the last member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment to die in Iraq was 20-year-old Pfc. Nathan Stahl in September 2004.
Army Pfc. Oscar Sanchez of Modesto, who also was stationed at Fort Lewis, was killed in Iraq in December 2004.
Sgt. Dale G. Brehm of Turlock, California joined the military in 2001 with his father's encouragement, after graduating from Turlock Adult School the previous year. His interest in the military began in his teen years. On September 10, 2001, he called his father to tell him he accomplished his goal of becoming an Army Ranger, elite soldiers that make up the military's special forces. But the next day, everything changed. Terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., ushering in a new era for the military. He met his wife when they were both high school students and were married in 2003. Dale was scheduled to finish his second term with the Army in July and was looking forward to returning home and starting a family. He leaves his wife and his parents among others. He was awarded numerous decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. Posthumously awarded the purple heart. He was killed while serving in Iraq at age 23.
Army
2nd Battalion
75th Ranger Regiment
Fort Lewis, Wash.∼A 23-year-old Army Ranger from Turlock died Saturday in Iraq.
Sgt. Dale G.M. Brehm's family was notified Sunday of his death, his stepmother said. However, Linda Brehm declined to discuss details. The Army has not released information to the family, and an investigation is ongoing, she said.
The Department of Defense had no information about Brehm on its Web site Monday.
A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Monte Vista Chapel in Turlock.
Brehm, a 2000 graduate of Turlock Adult School, joined the military in 2001.
He married Raini Hogan of Modesto more than two years ago. The couple lived in Steilacoom, Wash., near Tacoma and Fort Lewis, where Brehm was stationed.
According to Bee archives, today would have been Brehm's 24th birthday.
In addition to his wife, Brehm is survived by his father and stepmother, Bill and Linda Brehm of Turlock; and his mother, Laura Williams of Riverbank.
In 2002, the Bee printed a letter to the editor from Brehm's father about his son's service:"As a father of an Army Airborne Ranger, I am apprehensive about the United States going to war. When ground troops are sent in, he will be one of the first to go. I cannot determine what kind of threat Saddam may be. That is what our intelligence is for, and if the threat is there, it must be taken out before more harm is done to Americans. I am very proud of my son for he is well-trained, ready and willing to go to war for his country."
The Rangers are part of the 3 percent or 4 percent of the military who make up Special Operations — elite soldiers with extensive training often assigned to dangerous missions. Brehm's airborne qualification meant he jumped out of planes and helicopters, a frequent method of travel for Special Operations soldiers.
Although information about Brehm's unit was not available Monday, the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment is based at Fort Lewis. The Special Operations Command Web site calls the 75th "the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army."Cpl.
Pat Tillman, the former professional football player who became a national symbol of patriotism in 2002 when he walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army, also was a member of that battalion. The Army first told Tillman's family and the public that he was killed by enemy fire as he led his Ranger team up a hill in Afghanistan in April 2004, the Tacoma News-Tribune reported recently. Five weeks went by before Army officials admitted the truth — that Tillman was downed by fire from his unit. Seven soldiers in Tillman's unit have faced disciplinary action. Still, three Army reviews have concluded that the shooting was accidental.
Now, the Defense Department inspector general has ordered another investigation, this time a criminal inquiry. Pentagon officials downplay the decision, saying the order is essentially the inspector general calling a "process foul on the Army." But military law experts say the criminal inquiry is as unusual as it sounds. According to the Iraq Casualty Coalition Web site, the last member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment to die in Iraq was 20-year-old Pfc. Nathan Stahl in September 2004.
Army Pfc. Oscar Sanchez of Modesto, who also was stationed at Fort Lewis, was killed in Iraq in December 2004.
Army
2nd Battalion
75th Ranger Regiment
Fort Lewis, Wash.∼A 23-year-old Army Ranger from Turlock died Saturday in Iraq.
Sgt. Dale G.M. Brehm's family was notified Sunday of his death, his stepmother said. However, Linda Brehm declined to discuss details. The Army has not released information to the family, and an investigation is ongoing, she said.
The Department of Defense had no information about Brehm on its Web site Monday.
A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Monte Vista Chapel in Turlock.
Brehm, a 2000 graduate of Turlock Adult School, joined the military in 2001.
He married Raini Hogan of Modesto more than two years ago. The couple lived in Steilacoom, Wash., near Tacoma and Fort Lewis, where Brehm was stationed.
According to Bee archives, today would have been Brehm's 24th birthday.
In addition to his wife, Brehm is survived by his father and stepmother, Bill and Linda Brehm of Turlock; and his mother, Laura Williams of Riverbank.
In 2002, the Bee printed a letter to the editor from Brehm's father about his son's service:"As a father of an Army Airborne Ranger, I am apprehensive about the United States going to war. When ground troops are sent in, he will be one of the first to go. I cannot determine what kind of threat Saddam may be. That is what our intelligence is for, and if the threat is there, it must be taken out before more harm is done to Americans. I am very proud of my son for he is well-trained, ready and willing to go to war for his country."
The Rangers are part of the 3 percent or 4 percent of the military who make up Special Operations — elite soldiers with extensive training often assigned to dangerous missions. Brehm's airborne qualification meant he jumped out of planes and helicopters, a frequent method of travel for Special Operations soldiers.
Although information about Brehm's unit was not available Monday, the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment is based at Fort Lewis. The Special Operations Command Web site calls the 75th "the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army."Cpl.
Pat Tillman, the former professional football player who became a national symbol of patriotism in 2002 when he walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army, also was a member of that battalion. The Army first told Tillman's family and the public that he was killed by enemy fire as he led his Ranger team up a hill in Afghanistan in April 2004, the Tacoma News-Tribune reported recently. Five weeks went by before Army officials admitted the truth — that Tillman was downed by fire from his unit. Seven soldiers in Tillman's unit have faced disciplinary action. Still, three Army reviews have concluded that the shooting was accidental.
Now, the Defense Department inspector general has ordered another investigation, this time a criminal inquiry. Pentagon officials downplay the decision, saying the order is essentially the inspector general calling a "process foul on the Army." But military law experts say the criminal inquiry is as unusual as it sounds. According to the Iraq Casualty Coalition Web site, the last member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment to die in Iraq was 20-year-old Pfc. Nathan Stahl in September 2004.
Army Pfc. Oscar Sanchez of Modesto, who also was stationed at Fort Lewis, was killed in Iraq in December 2004.
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