Local soldier injured in Iraq

Local soldier injured in Iraq

By Rosalie Currier
Sturgis Journal
Fri Jul 11, 2008, 11:54 PM EDT

Sturgis, Mich. -

Robert Barthel, a sergeant in the U.S. Army and a 2001 Sturgis High School graduate, was injured Tuesday near Nasser Wa Salam in Iraq.

Barthel and his squad were on patrol when their Stryker was struck by an improvised explosive device, according to his mother Sally Cleveland of Sturgis.

Barthel was severely injured in his right leg and foot. After a failed attempt to restore circulation to his right foot, he was flown to Germany, where his right foot was amputated.