2,928

From AP:

As of Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at least 2,928 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,356 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

The latest deaths reported by the military:
• Two soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb Thursday south of Baghdad.
• One soldier was killed in Baghdad on Thursday when an explosive detonated near his patrol.
• One Marine died Wednesday of non-combat-related injuries in Anbar province.

The latest identifications reported by the military:
• Marine Cpl. Dustin J. Libby, 22, Presque Isle, Maine, died Wednesday in Anbar province; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• Spc. Nicholas R. Gibbs, 25, Stokesdale, N.C., died Wednesday in Ramadi of injuries from small arms fire while conducting observation and security operations; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany.
• Marine Lance Cpl. Brent E. Beeler, 22, Jackson, Mich., died Thursday in Anbar province; assigned to Marine Forces Reserves 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Lansing, Mich.
• Army Cpl. Billy B. Farris, 20, Bapchule, Ariz., died Sunday in Taji when an explosive detonated near his vehicle while conducting escort operations; assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
• Sgt. Jay R. Gauthreaux, 26, Thibodaux, La., died Monday in Balad of injuries suffered in Baqubah when an explosive detonated near his vehicle; assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.