Photo Caption: Pfc. Joseph Anzack has been missing since his patrol was attacked south of Baghdad. The news comes only three weeks after the soldier dispelled rumors he had been killed in Iraq. (Family photo)

Local soldier among missing in Iraq
20-year-old Torrance native believed to have been taken hostage in an ambush.
By Shelly Leachman, Staff writer
Article Launched: 05/15/2007 10:34:23 PM PDT

TORRANCE - Only three weeks after a Torrance soldier dispelled rumors that he had been killed in Iraq, his family once again is reeling with bad news.

But this time it's true.

The Department of Defense on Tuesday named Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr. - a 2005 graduate of South High in Torrance - as one of three infantrymen missing since their patrol was attacked south of Baghdad.

"It's a radical coincidence that I can't even fathom," father Joseph Anzack Sr. said. He got word on Sunday, when U.S. Army officials appeared on his doorstep to deliver the news in person.

"I'm not sure where to go from here," he added. "All we can do is wait. We have to wait. There is nothing else we can do."

Part of the noted 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, the younger Anzack, 20, and his fellow soldiers are believed to have been taken hostage following an ambush Saturday near Mahmoudiya that resulted in the death of four other Americans and an Iraqi translator, according to military officials.

The Pentagon said it believes the men to be in terrorist hands. An al-Qaida-affiliated group called The Islamic State of Iraq has claimed responsibility for the ambush and said it has the missing soldiers.
A massive search by U.S. forces is ongoing.

"It is totally surreal. It's scary," aunt Debbie Anzack, also of Torrance, said of the situation. "We're just in limbo, waiting to hear. And we hope that they find him. Alive."

Learning on Mother's Day that her son was missing, Theresa Anzack of San Pedro described the turn of events as "shocking and unbelievable."

"We're trying to keep an uplifted spirit," she said. "We're not giving up hope or our prayers. It's been an emotional roller coaster."

News started circulating three weeks ago that the former football standout had been killed in Iraq. By the next morning, the gossip had been accepted as gospel.

Students at Anzack's alma mater South High posted, "In Loving Memory, Joseph Anzack, 2005" on the school marquee.

A former coach called his grandmother to find out what happened, leaving her distraught. Friends posted condolence messages on the MySpace page Anzack Sr. started.

The rumor was ultimately dispelled when the soldier himself, located alive and well by American Red Cross workers, phoned home to reassure his family.

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Local Soldier Rumored Dead On Myspace Now Missing

(CBS) TORRANCE, Calif. A soldier from Torrance who was mistakenly rumored to have died in Iraq in April is now one of the four soldiers who were either killed or captured during a weekend al Qaeda ambush south of Baghdad.

Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., 20, is listed by the Department of Defense as “Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown.”

Four soldiers were killed and three others were missing -- and feared captured -- in the wake of the Saturday ambush near Mahmoudiya.

The Department of Defense identified three of the soldiers who were killed in the attack as Sgt. 1st Class James D. Connell Jr., 40, of Lake City, Tenn.; Pfc. Daniel W. Courneya, 19, of Nashville, Mich.; and Pfc. Christopher E. Murphy, 21, of Lynchburg, Va. The four other soldiers -- one of whom was killed -- were identified as Anzack; Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich.; Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.; and Sgt. Anthony J. Schober, 23, of Reno, Nev. The Pentagon did not immediately identify which of the soldiers had been killed.

The soldiers were members of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based out of Fort Drum, N.Y.

© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc.

Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., 20, is listed by the Department of Defense as “Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown.”

Joseph's myspace page his here:

http://www.myspace.com/108968965

'We have to wait' says Torrance soldier's father
Graduate of South High in Torrance is among missing soldiers believed held by terrorists. Three weeks ago, he was falsely rumored to be dead.

By Shelly Leachman
STAFF WRITER

Only three weeks after a Torrance soldier dispelled rumors that he had been killed in Iraq, his family once again is reeling with bad news.

But this time it's true.

The Department of Defense on Tuesday named Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr. -- a 2005 graduate of South High in Torrance -- as one of three infantrymen missing since their patrol was attacked south of Baghdad.

"It's a radical coincidence that I can't even fathom," said father Joseph Anzack Sr. He got word Sunday, when U.S. Army officials appeared on his doorstep to deliver the news in person.

"I'm not sure where to go from here," he added. "All we can do is wait. We have to wait. There is nothing else we can do."

Part of the noted 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, the younger Anzack, 20, and his fellow soldiers are believed to have been taken hostage following an ambush Saturday near Mahmoudiya that resulted in the death of four other Americans and an Iraqi translator, according to military officials.

The Pentagon said it believes the men to be in terrorist hands. An al-Qaida-affiliated group called The Islamic State of Iraq has claimed responsibility for the ambush and said it has the missing soldiers.

A massive search by U.S. forces is ongoing.

"It is totally surreal. It's scary," aunt Debbie Anzack, also of Torrance, said of the situation. "We're just in limbo, waiting to hear. And we hope that they find him. Alive."

Learning on Mother's Day that her son was missing, Theresa Anzack of San Pedro described the turn of events as "shocking and unbelievable."

"We're trying to keep an uplifted spirit," she said from a sidewalk at Torrance Park, her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, the corners of her mouth turned down and quivering slightly. "We're not giving up hope or our prayers. It's been an emotional roller coaster."

News started circulating on a Sunday three weeks ago that the former football standout had been killed in Iraq. By the next morning, the gossip had been accepted as gospel.

Students at South High posted a somber message -- "In Loving Memory, Joseph Anzack, 2005" -- on the school marquee.

A former coach called his grandmother, Betty Anzack, to find out what happened, leaving her distraught.

Friends began posting condolence messages on the MySpace page Anzack Sr. started to stay in closer touch with his son.

The rumor was ultimately dispelled when the soldier himself, located alive and well by American Red Cross workers, phoned home to reassure his worried family. He later updated his own MySpace page to read, "I'm not dead, I'm still kickin.' "

"The way I think about it is, whoever started that rumor jinxed us," sister Casey Anzack, 16, a sophomore at Torrance High, said Tuesday. "That experience prepared us, to a certain extent. But words can't really explain it. It's just left me numb."

At the sprawling South High campus, where Anzack played football for four years, those who knew him were stunned by the latest news.

"I can't believe it," said Coach Josh Waybright. "I can't imagine what the family must be feeling."

Anzack played nose guard and made all league despite being relatively small at about 185 to 195 pounds, according to defensive coordinator Chris Hyduke.

"He was an outstanding kid," Hyduke said. "He was really dedicated. He played with injury. ... A real 'Yes sir, no sir' guy."

"He's the type of soldier we want in Iraq," Waybright added. "He did whatever you asked."

Right now, little sister Casey is asking just one thing of Joseph Jr.: "Come home."

"We have a few wrestling matches to finish. We have to go surfing together," she said, expressing a wish that her brother, whom she described as "made of steel, inside and out," could hear her.

"We're just waiting for him. Waiting for him to walk through our door."

shelly.leachman@dailybreeze.com

Staff writers Gene Maddaus, Larry Altman and Andrea Woodhouse contributed to this article.

My son will be returning to Baghdad for a 3rd time in the next few months. My heart is breaking at the news of Joe. Nathan, my son, grew up in Torrance, attended North High and joined the Army 6 days before 9/11 at the age of 17. He has seen his share of combat and death. The only words of encouragement I can give you right now is to be strong and remember there are many moms and dads who support you in prayer.

My heart is absolutely aching for young Anzack's friends and family. My husband and I chose some time ago to fly the U.S. flag at our house at half-staff to honor all of our fallen sons and daughters and as a mark of respect to their memory. We will keep our flag at half-staff, without any Presidential order, for as long as is necessary. (Our son is in Baghdad, second tour in Iraq and we understand that it's every parent's worst nightmare to have military personnel knocking on your door.) My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

As a wife to one of these Brave Soldiers my heart is breaking to hear the news of another fallen HERO! My husband has done one tour overseas and will be leaving for another one in the next few months. I cant even imagine what Joseph's family is going through. I didnt even know Joe and as I am sitting here commenting I am in tears... It is so sad that people in this world can be so heartless. I wish they could all just come home!!

Joseph, his family, and his friends are in my thoughts and prayers... God Bless you all!!

Mary
A Proud Army Wife!

As a parent myself, my heart breaks for Joseph's parents. You are to be congratulated at having such a fine and caring son. I pray for you in your time of loss and want to remind you that when you get to heaven you will find him waiting by the gate for you. I know it doesn't help now but I pray that you stay strong and know that a grateful nation grieves with you.

What is to be grateful about another needless death?
This is real not a TV serial where the good guys die for just causes.
This was grief and sorrow for the benefit of corporations who pay assholes like you to glorify this tragedy.
There is no glory.