The Department of Defense announced today the death of one soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1^st Lt. Kenneth Michael Ballard, 26, of Mountain View, Calif., died May 30 in Najaf, Iraq, during a firefight with insurgents. 1^st Lt. Ballard was assigned to the Armys 2^nd Battalion, 37^th Armored Regiment, 1^st Armored Division, from Friedburg, Germany.

The incident is under investigation.

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