Army Sgt. Cory R. Mracek

Died January 27, 2004 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

26, of Hay Springs, Neb.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery, Fort Bragg, N.C.; killed Jan. 27 in an improvised explosive device attack near Iskandariyah, Iraq.

Flags fly at half-staff to honor fallen soldier

Associated Press

CHADRON, Neb. — Flags were flown Jan. 4 at half-staff over City Hall in honor of Army Sgt. Cory Mracek, who was killed in Iraq last week.

Gov. Mike Johanns issued a proclamation to permit the action on the day of Mracek’s funeral.

Mracek, 26, was born in Chadron and grew up in nearby Hay Springs. The soldier’s funeral was to be held Jan. 4 at Chadron State College.

Mracek was among three soldiers killed in Iraq Jan. 27 when a roadside bomb exploded west of Baghdad. He had been in Iraq just eight days.

Burial was to be at Gordon cemetery following services.