The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 8 in Khalidiyah, Iraq, when they were conducting combat operations and an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves, Korea.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Thor H. Ingraham, 24, of Murrysville, Pa.

Pfc. Nicolas E. Messmer, 20, of Franklin, Ohio.

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