Gienau, Richard B. "Brian"

GIENAU, WAY, ALLEN, SHAY, EDGINGTON, GARCEAU, SMUTZER

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 2/28/2005 at 21:05:42

Illinois man, part of 224th Engineer Battalion, killed in Iraq

February 28, 2005

The Iowa National Guard has announced the death of 2nd Lt. Richard B. "Brian" Gienau, 29, of Peoria, Ill. Gienau was killed when the up-armored Humvee in which he was traveling was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) between Karbala and Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

The attack occurred at 10:50 a.m. Sunday, Iraq time. Gienau was pronounced dead at the scene. He was assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard's Company A, 224th Engineer Battalion, based in Burlington.

Also injured in the attack were Sgt. Timothy Shay, 22, of Muscatine; Spc. Justin Edgington, 23, of West Burlington; Spc. Seth Garceau, 22, of Oelwein; and Spc. Dennis Smutzer, 32, of Moline, Ill. These soldiers are also assigned to Company A, 224th Engineer Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard, Burlington.

The injured soldiers are currently undergoing medical care in Iraq and Germany as follows: Garceau continues to receive medical treatment at the 86th Combat Support Hospital near Baghdad and is expected to be evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany; Smutzer was evacuated to Landstuhl and continues to receive medical treatment; Shay is receiving treatment at the 86th Combat Support Hospital; and Edgington continues to receive treatment at the 86th Combat Support Hospital and will be returned to duty later today or sometime tomorrow.

Gienau graduated from Tripoli High School in 1994. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1994 and served as an Avionic Mechanic until 1998. Gienau enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in November 1999. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003 and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. through their Reserve Officers Training Corps in 2004. Gienau mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 224th Engineer Battalion in October 2004.

He is survived by his son; mother, Debbee Way, of Dunkerton; father, Richard, of Waterloo; and girlfriend, Katie Allen. Gienau was preceded in death by his sister, Amanda.

The family of Lt. Brian Gienau issued the following statement:

"Brian was very proud to serve his country and believed deeply in what he was doing -- we are very proud of him for his service. Though separation from his family while deployed was difficult, he felt a strong bond with his fellow soldiers and demonstrated profound compassion and concern for their well-being. Brian was well-liked and easygoing. He enjoyed teaching Sunday school, loved children, and he was a wonderful father. Brian loved spending time in the outdoors, especially with his family. We will always remember him for his strong but gentle spirit."

The families ask that their privacy be respected at this time. Any queries are to be handled through the Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Office.

Approximately 500 soldiers were mobilized from the 224th Engineer Battalion in October 2004. This mobilization and activation is part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism.

The 224th Engineer Battalion is comprised of units located in Fairfield (Headquarters and Headquarters Company), Burlington (Company A), Ottumwa (Company B), Mount Pleasant (Company C), and Keokuk (Detachment 1, Company C). Additionally, the 834th Engineer Company from Davenport, which falls under the command and control of the 224th Engineer Battalion, also mobilized selected soldiers in support of this operation.

The mission of the 224th Engineer Battalion is to increase the combat effectiveness of United States and coalition forces by removing physical obstacles, identifying and reducing minefields, emplacing barriers, constructing protective positions, repairing bridges and roadways, and performing infantry missions as required. Additionally, while in Iraq, the 224th Engineers have conducted route clearing missions, convoy escorts, and detainee operations. This unit was last deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2005