The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died December 9 in Mosul, Iraq after being involved in an Apache helicopter accident. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, South Carolina National Guard, Columbia, S.C.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Andrew C. Shields, 25, of Campobello, S.C.

Chief Warrant Officer Patrick D. Leach, 39, of Rock Hill, S.C.

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