The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Nicholas M. Skinner, 20, of Davenport, Iowa, died Aug. 26 from injuries received due to enemy action in An Najaf, Iraq. Skinner was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11^th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Lance Cpl. Nickalous N. Aldrich, 21, of Austin, Texas, died Aug. 27 from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Aldrich was assigned to 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marine Regiment, 1^st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Sgt. Edgar E. Lopez, 27, of Los Angeles, Calif., died Aug. 28 due to enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. Lopez was assigned to 1^st Battalion, 2^nd Marine Regiment, 24^th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

For further information related to Pfc. Skinner or Lance Cpl. Aldrich, contact the Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5044. For further information related to Sgt. Lopez, call the 2^nd Marine Division Public Affairs Officer at Camp Lejeune, N.C. at (910) 451-9033.