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

Staff Sgt. Toby W. Mallet, 26, of Kaplan, La., died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his patrol vehicle. Mallet was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

The incident is under investigation.

For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.