Latafiya, Iraq, May 19, 2007 [Alpha Co. 2-15, Task Force 2-15, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division] – SSG. Robert Simonovich sits stunned and temporarily blinded after being hit in the face by shrapnel from an IED or land mine minutes earlier. His sight returned later in the day, but he suffered extensive hearing loss and will undergo surgery to restore it. Three soldiers were also injured (two other Americans and an Iraqi Army soldier) and his 22-year-old sergeant was killed instantly in the blast.