Family confirms death of area sailor

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By Thomas Geyer | Friday, July 14, 2006 4:33 PM CDT | () comments

ALEDO, Ill. — The family of Navy Reservist Jerry Tharp of Aledo confirmed Thursday that the sailor has been killed in the line of duty while serving in Iraq.

Information surrounding Tharp’s death was not available late Thursday, and the Navy had not confirmed his death. More details are expected to be released today.

A U.S. flag flew at half-staff in the front yard of Tharp’s rural Aledo home Thursday afternoon.

A single star hanging in a window signified that a person in the house was serving in the military overseas.

A man who stepped outside said the family was not yet ready to speak with the media.

Tharp would be the 12th person with Quad-City ties to die in the line of duty while serving in Iraq.

While the Navy has not released the details surrounding Tharp’s death, the U.S. military announced that an American sailor was killed Wednesday.

According to a military news release, the sailor was assigned to the 9th Naval Construction Regiment, and that “he died due to enemy action” while operating in Al-Anbar Province.

The U.S. military has reported 11 American fatalities so far in July. The military said 62 Americans died in June and 69 in May.

Thomas Geyer can be contacted at 563) 383-2328 or tgeyer@qctimes.com.