Charlie Battery member killed in Iraq, two wounded

The South Dakota Army National Guard announced Tuesday the death of Staff Sgt. Gregory A. Wagner of Mitchell who was serving with Yankton's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery that is currently in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Wagner, 35, was killed in Baghdad on Monday, May 8, when his vehicle was hit by an improvised fired projectile.

Two other soldiers from Charlie Battery were injured during the incident. The families of the soldiers involved were notified Monday. In accordance with current privacy laws, the names and current conditions of those injured will not be released.

Wagner was a team leader for Charlie Battery that is currently serving a one-year tour in Iraq. Charlie Battery's mission involves training and evaluating the Iraqi Police Force in one of the city's police districts.

Wagner, a 1989 graduate of Hanson High School, is the son of Velma and the late Charles Wagner of Alexandria. He was not married.

Staff Sgt. Wagner worked full time for the National Guard as a heavy mobile equipment repairer at the Surface Equipment Maintenance Complex in Mitchell. Prior to deploying with the Yankton unit, he was a member of Mitchell's Battery A, 1/147th FA.

Battery C, 1/147th FA was mobilized in July of 2005 and deployed to the Middle East in October 2005.

Further details about funeral arrangements will be announced when they become available.