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

Staff Sgt. Joseph E.Rodriguez, 25 of Las Cruces, N.M., died Jan. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device struck his armored vehicle. Rodriguez was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

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