Missing U.S. soldiers found dead

[wx247]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 28 — After days of intense searching by ground and air, U.S. forces on Saturday found the bodies of two soldiers missing north of Baghdad, as the toll of American dead since the start of war topped the grim milestone of 200.

ALSO SATURDAY, British forces were greeted peacefully as they returned to a southern Shiite town where six of their troops were killed in clashes. And the U.S. military announced small rebuilding projects, ranging from the delivery of school and medical supplies to the restoration of power and water in several Iraqi towns.
The day’s events highlighted the pattern of progress and setback that has bedeviled the U.S.-led occupation, facing daily attacks that distract from the mission of reconstruction.
Sgt. 1st Class Gladimir Philippe, 37, of Roselle, N.J., and Pfc. Kevin Ott, 27, of Columbus, Ohio, were last seen Wednesday at their post in the town of Balad, 25 miles north of Baghdad.
Their remains were found 20 miles northwest of the capital Saturday morning, while their Humvee was recovered Friday in another location nearby, a senior Pentagon official said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The crew had two M16 rifles, a grenade launcher and a global-positioning unit, and were equipped to have radio and visual contact with nearby teams, the official said, adding that he did not know if any of that gear was missing.
A sandstorm at the time made it hard to see, though it was not known if the storm contributed to the disappearance or to the other soldiers’ not noticing that it was happening, the official said.