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

Staff Sgt. Erickson H. Petty, 28, of Fort Gibson, Okla., died May 3 in Salman Al Habb, Iraq, from an attack by small arms fire while conducting security of a weapons cache. Petty was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany.

The incident is under investigation.

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