The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died Nov. 13 in Mukhisa, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during dismounted combat operations.  They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

 

            Killed were:

 

            Sgt. Christopher R. Kruse, 23, of Emporia, Kan.

 

            Cpl. Peter W. Schmidt, 30, of Eureka, Calif.

 

            For more information, media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at (253) 967-0152, (253) 967-0147 or after hours at (253) 967-0015 (ask for the Public Affairs Officer on call).