US Embassy: Female Fil-am soldier killed in Afghanistan

The United States (US) Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday a female Filipino-American soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in January while she was clearing areas for an air assault mission. The embassy identified the victim as Sgt. Zainah “Caye" Creamer, 28, a trained dog handler in the US Army military police. She was a part of a unit that checked buildings and vehicles for explosives. The embassy said she died in Howz E Madad, Kandahar, Afghanistan, on January 12. Creamer will be buried on February 4 with full US military honors at the family cemetery in Siquijor province. Leslie Bassett, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Manila, said “Sgt. Creamer selflessly dedicated her life to the service of others." “She reminds all of us that the freedoms we enjoy are earned through the sacrifice of our military. We will always be grateful to her, and honor her memory," Bassett added. Bassett and senior US military officers will represent the US government at the funeral service for Creamer on Friday. At the memorial ceremony, the U.S. government will confer on Creamer the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Among the awards and decorations she received during her six years of service include: