Kansas University officials expressed their concern Wednesday afternoon about the critical injuries suffered Oct. 23 in Iraq by reservist Chuck Bartles, a KU graduate student.

KU officials learned of Bartles’ injuries Wednesday from a report in the Wall Street Journal, which reported he was hurt in a roadside bombing that killed one soldier and wounded another.

Bartles lost his forearm because of the blast and suffered injuries to a leg and his face. A Yankton, S.D., native, Bartles was scheduled to be flown from Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, his family said.

Bartles was earning a master’s degree in Russian and East European studies at KU when he was called up to active duty in April.

“I was sorry to learn this morning about the wounds that Chuck Bartles suffered while serving on active military duty in Iraq. He was serving his country and putting himself at risk in a hostile situation. He is in the thoughts and prayers of the entire Jayhawk family, and we hope he will resume his studies here as soon as his condition permits,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway said in a statement released by KU.

“We thank all of our students and staff who are serving their country in Iraq and other locations around the world, and we continue to hope and pray for their safe return.”

The following is a statement by Associate Professor Paul D’Anieri, director of the Center for Russian and East European Studies:

“Everyone here is shaken up by the news about Chuck Bartles. We wish him strength in facing the challenges that await him, and we hope to see him back at KU as soon as he’s ready.”

For more on this story, see Thursday’s Journal-World.