The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1^st Class Jose A. Rivera, 34, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was killed on Nov. 5 in Mumuhdyah, Iraq.  Rivera was part of a patrol when his unit came under rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire.  Rivera died of his injuries.  He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3^rd Battalion, 505^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, based in Fort Bragg, N.C.

Spc. Robert T. Benson, 20, of Spokane, Wash., died on Nov. 4, in Baghdad, Iraq.  Benson died from a non-hostile gunshot wound.  Benson was assigned to Company A, 1^st Battalion, 35^th Armored Regiment, 1^st Armored Division, based in Smith Barracks, Germany.

These incidents are under investigation.