The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Joseph Minucci II, 23, of Richeyville, Pa, was killed on Nov. 13 in Samara, Iraq. Minucci was riding on a bus when an improvised explosive device exploded. Minucci died of his injuries. Minucci was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy.

Spc. Marlon P. Jackson, 25, of Jersey City, N.J., was killed on Nov. 11 in Tampa, Iraq. Jackson died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device exploded on the road. Jackson was assigned to A Company, 94th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), 130th Engineer Brigade, Vilseck, Germany.

These incident is under investigation.