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

Lance Cpl. Derek W. Jones, 21, of Salem, Ore., died Oct. 8 from wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Lance Cpl. Jeremy S. Sandvick Monroe, 20, of Chinook, Mont., died Oct. 8 from wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Capt. Robert M. Secher, 33, of Germantown, Tenn., died Oct. 8 from wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Media with questions about Jones and Sandvick Monroe can contact the Hawaii public affairs office at (808) 257-8870.

Media with questions about Secher can contact the Okinawa public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790 or 81-611-745-7423.