The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Richard P. Ramey, 27, of Canton, Ohio, died Feb. 8 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated. Ramey was assigned to the 703rd Ordinance Company, Fort Knox, Ky., and he was supporting the 82nd Airborne Division.

The incident is under investigation.