The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Oct. 15, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Vincent E. Summers, 38, of South Haven, Mich.

Spc. Thomas H. Byrd, 21, of Cochise, Ariz.

Spc. Jeffrey W. Corban, 30, of Elkhart, Ind.

Spc. Richard A. Hardy, 24, of Newcomerstown, Ohio.

Spc. Timothy D. Watkins, 24, of San Bernardino, Calif.

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