Marine's Death in a Secret Iraqi Base Reflects a Quietly Expanding U.S. Role

The New York Times: WASHINGTON — On a Saturday morning three weeks ago, American radar detected rockets headed for a secret fire base of about 100 Marines in northern Iraq.

As warning sirens blared, a 27-year-old staff sergeant on his fifth combat tour rushed the Marines under his command to a bunker.

One rocket missed the Marines, but another exploded near the staff sergeant, Louis F. Cardin, while he was still outside. He was seriously wounded in the chest and died within the hour.

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