Released by US Navy

Special Warfare Operator Second Class Petty Officer Joseph C. Schwedler

A Virginia Beach-based Navy SEAL was killed Friday in Iraq.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph C. Schwedler, 27, of Crystal Falls, Michigan, was a member of SEAL Team Four at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. He was killed by enemy action while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

Two other SEALs were injured in the attack, according to the Pentagon.

This was his second deployment to Iraq.

“Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and teammates of Petty Officer Schwedler in this very difficult time. He was a great warrior, teammate, and friend to so many of us in the Naval Special Warfare community, and his spirit and sacrifice will live on in each of us as we continue to fight the Global War on Terror, said Captain Chaz Heron, Commodore Naval Special Warfare Group TWO. “Petty Officer Schwedler lived by the SEAL Code, and time and again his actions in training and on the battlefield embodied the physical agility and mental toughness that characterizes the best of Naval Special Warfare. He will surely be missed and certainly not forgotten.”

Schwelder's body is expected to arrive in Michigan on Wednesday and a funeral will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in his high school gym.

According to published reports in Michigan, Schwedler had graduated from high school in 1998. He was the son of Iron County Trial Court Judge Joseph Schwedler and Susan Schwedler of Crystal Falls.

He's also survived by a brother and sister.

Schwedler graduated from high school in 1998 and enlisted in the Navy on March 25, 2002. He graduated from boot camp that October and entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, Calif., in November 2002.

Following graduation, Schwedler completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training, six months of SEAL Qualifications Training and cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska. His SEAL Team was deployed to Iraq late last year.

His awards and decorations include the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment ribbon.

Three Washington-based sailors also died April 6 from enemy action near Kirkuk, Iraq.

Chief Petty Officer Gregory J. Billiter, 36, of Villa Hills, Ky.; Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis R. Hall, 24, of Burley, Ind.; Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph A. McSween, 26, of Valdosta, Ga.

The men were assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Eleven, Whidbey Island, Washington.

Meantime, a soldier from the Richmond area died after being wounded in Iraq.

22-year-old Forrest Cauthorn died Thursday of wounds suffered during combat operations when his unit came under fire from small arms and grenades in Kirkuk Province. A second soldier was wounded

Cauthorn was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii.