A New Douglas man who died in Operation Desert Storm will be honored Saturday at a ceremony in Springfield.
The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs is hosting the 24th Desert Storm Remembrance Ceremony to remember and honor those who served, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Desert Storm 24 years ago. The ceremony is Saturday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. The event is free and open to the public.
Fourteen military personnel from Illinois died during Operation Desert Storm, including Patrick R. Hurley, of New Douglas, and Earnest F. Mitchem, of Granite City.
Hurley was in the US Army and died on February 21, 1991. Mitchem was also in the Army and passed away on April 13, 1991.
382 American lives were lost in Operation Desert Storm, 147 of which were combat deaths. 467 were wounded in combat.
