1/1 Marine troop loses 3 members

Three United States Marines who served in a battalion adopted by the city of Newport Beach died in Iraq last week.

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Williams of Orange, Texas; Pfc. Christopher White of Southport, N.C.; and Lance Cpl. Brandon Webb of Swartz Creek, Mich.; died June 20 from injuries sustained in combat in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. All three were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force ? better known as the 1/1 Battalion ? at Camp Pendleton.

The city of Newport Beach adopted the battalion after the start of the Iraq War and has sponsored a number of fundraisers for the troops.

“It’s really, really sad,” said City Manager Homer Bludau, one of the key supporters of the battalion. “Just a couple of weeks ago, we had a car wash at the Arches for the 1/1 and raised a lot of money. It really hits close to home when you know that members of the battalion that the city adopted have been killed in action.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a prepared statement, praised the troops’ bravery.

“These three Marines put their lives on the line to serve our country,” he stated in the press release. “We will keep Benjamin, Christopher and Brandon’s families in our thoughts and prayers. Their brave service is an example of the determination and courage that makes our nation strong.”