The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Jan. 8 in Maywand, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when their dismounted patrol was hit by an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

 

Killed were:

 

Sgt. Joshua L. Rath, 22, of Decatur, Ala.,

 

Spc. Keith E. Essary, 20, of Dyersburg, Tenn.

 

For more information media may contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 287-2520.