The search continues for the three US soldiers attacked on Saturday near Mahmoudiya.
The missing US soldiers from Mahmoudiya (left to right): Alex Jimenez and his wife Yaderlin Jimenez -Via IraqSlogger, Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, and Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr..
Earlier today the US identified the 4th soldier killed in the attack on Saturday near Mahmoudiya: 
CNN reported this sad news on Friday:
A fourth soldier identified as killed in an Iraqi ambush that left three other troops missing had a great sense of humor and the “metabolism of a god,” his platoon leader said Friday.
The Army told family members Thursday that Sgt. Anthony J. Schober, 23, of Reno, Nevada, was among the dead from Saturday’s attack, said his uncle, Robert Schober of Minden, Nevada.
…With Schober’s identity known, the following soldiers can be identified as missing, or “duty status whereabouts unknown”: Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, California; and Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Michigan.
Rest in peace, Sgt. Anthony J. Schober.
Military officials are optimistic that the 3 missing US soldiers are still alive.
The Guardian reported:
On Thursday, U.S. officials expressed cautious optimism that the missing soldiers were still alive even as troops drained canals and questioned children in the search. FBI agents and Australian forensic experts also took part in the operation.
About 900 people had been questioned so far and 36 were detained, Webster said. U.S. forces also dropped 250,000 leaflets over the area.
Lt. Col. Randy Martin, a U.S. military spokesman, said searches had produced a number of leads that “point to the fact that these men are still alive.”
“There are also reports to the contrary. But we have an obligation to follow on every intelligence tip,” Martin said. “There is cautious optimism that in fact these soldiers can be found alive,” Martin said. “That’s what we pray for, that’s what we hope for.”
Also today… The trial of Iraqi Al Qaeda terrorist Abu Nur or “The Spider”, begins today. The “Spider” orchestrated between 800-900 bombings in Iraq before he was captured!
Previously:
5 US Soldiers Killed… 3 Missing in Mahmoudiya
Al Qaeda Claims It Is Holding Missing US “Crusader” Soldiers!!
Al Qaeda Says It Will Align Itself With Democrats
Al Qaeda Warns US to Stop Searching For Missing Soldiers
Captured US Soldiers in Iraq Are From Ft. Drum
Pentagon Releases Information on Missing Soldiers
Pentagon: “Reason to Believe” Missing Troops May Be Alive! (Video)
The Search For the Missing US Soldiers Continues
