The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Thomas J. Barbieri, 24, of Gaithersburg, Md., died on Aug. 23 south of Baghdad, Iraq when his patrol encountered enemy forces small arms fire during combat operations. Barbieri was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Media with questions about this soldier can contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661.