Knight Ridder Photographer Captures Last Days of 12 Fallen Marines Comprehensive Multimedia Package Features Eyewitness Accounts of Two Weeks in Iraq With Echo Company and the Aftermath Back Home in America WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Knight Ridder today announced the launch of an online multimedia experience chronicling the final weeks of 12 U.S. Marines serving in Iraq and the impact of their deaths on their families back home. Anchored by veteran Philadelphia Inquirer photographer David Swanson, who was embedded with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, the Web feature tells the Marines' stories through their own eyes and those of the parents, wives, siblings and friends they left behind, using photos, audio and video clips, letters and articles. The account is also based on the Marines' classified After Action reports of the conflict, which Knight Ridder obtained. It can be found at http://www.krwashington.com/. "By creating this package, we are able to help preserve not only the history of our country's conflict in Iraq, but the memories of the young men who were lost," David Swanson said. "I was deeply saddened by their tragic deaths, but I feel fortunate that I am able to give others a look into the last two weeks of their lives." John Walcott, Knight Ridder Washington Bureau Chief, said, "Through this incredible multimedia feature, David Swanson and his colleagues from Knight Ridder newspapers across the country provide an unprecedented perspective on the war through the eyes of the soldiers and their families -- a side of the story that until now has gone largely untold." Walcott added, "At Knight Ridder, we had more reporters in Iraq during the U.S.-led invasion than any other print news organization, and we now maintain a full-time bureau there. We were able to offer unmatched coverage before the war and as it unfolded and, as this package shows, we continue to do so." Swanson was embedded with Echo Company from April 1 through April 14, 2004, in Ramadi, Iraq, on assignment for Knight Ridder. The members of Echo Company and their loved ones welcomed the chance to have their stories told and offered Swanson and other Knight Ridder reporters virtually unlimited access to view, photograph and report on what happened in Iraq and the effects in America. Visitors to the site can relive some of the most chilling moments -- from witnessing the deaths of members of the company, to looking into the frightened eyes of a young Iraqi child as her father is taken prisoner, to listening to a mother describe the knock on her door when two Marines came to tell her that her boy was dead. Highlights of the Echo Company website package include: ** Swanson's day-by-day account -- While viewing videos featuring a series of dozens of photos, visitors can hear Swanson describe what it was like to be embedded with the Marines. Also available is a moving written account from the front lines of the Marines' ambush in Ramadi, where the company lost 10 men. ** Audio clips -- As part of a page dedicated to each soldier, the package includes a series of audio clips from loved ones, including testimonials from wives describing their last phone calls; mothers reflecting on the day they received the news of their sons' deaths; and friends reminiscing about old times. ** Extensive photo galleries -- A collection of photographs of each of the 12 fallen members is showcased on the Web site. The families provided many of the photos; others came from Knight Ridder newspapers and some were images captured by David Swanson in Iraq. ** Personal profiles -- Each of the 12 Marines has a detailed profile, which includes Knight Ridder-reported articles and an online guest book for visitors to sign. The articles provide a window into the personal lives of the young men, complete with heart-warming stories and reflections of family members. ** Question and Answer with David Swanson -- Visitors to the site can post questions for David Swanson to answer. Echo Company is based at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., and is due to return home in next month. Since the conflict in Iraq began, Echo Company has lost 22 of its 185 men -- more than any other Marine or Army company -- and has had more than 40 wounded. Knight Ridder reporters Lisa Fernandez of the San Jose Mercury News, Joseph L. Galloway of the Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, Thomas Ginsberg of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Nevy Kaminski of the Bradenton Herald, Lee Hill Kavanaugh of The Kansas City Star, John Simerman and Sara Steffens of the Contra Costa Times, and Thaai Walker of the San Jose Mercury News also reported for this series. About Knight Ridder's Washington Bureau The Knight Ridder Washington bureau serves Knight Ridder newspapers and the more than 350 client newspapers of the Knight Ridder/Tribune News Services, with Washington and international coverage. Bureau correspondents cover the White House, Congress, national security issues, the economy, legal affairs, law enforcement, science and other beats. Eight foreign correspondents are posted in major capitals around the world to bring international news home to Knight Ridder readers. Knight Ridder is the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, with products in print and online. The company publishes 31 daily newspapers in 28 U.S. markets, with a readership of 8.7 million daily and 12.6 million Sunday. Knight Ridder also has investments in a variety of Internet and technology companies and two newsprint companies. The company's Internet operation, Knight Ridder Digital, develops and manages the company's online properties. It is the founder and operator of Real Cities (http://www.realcities.com/), the largest national network of city and regional Web sites in more than 100 U.S. markets. Knight Ridder and Knight Ridder Digital are headquartered in San Jose, Calif. DATASOURCE: Knight Ridder CONTACT: Polk Laffoon, Vice President/Corporate Relations, +1-408-938-7838, or , or Lee Ann Schlatter, Director/Corporate Communications, +1-408-938-7839 or , both of Knight Ridder Web site: http://www.krwashington.com/ Web site: http://www.knightridder.com/

Copyright