The Department of Defense announced today the death three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Aaron C. Pickering, 20, of Marion, Ill., died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Staff Sgt. Gene Ramirez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Lance Cpl. Justin D. Reppuhn, 20, of Hemlock, Mich., died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

For further information on Ramirez or Reppuhn, contact the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5044. For more information on Pickering, contact the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Public Affairs Office at (808) 257-8871.