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

Sgt. Brock A. Babb, 40, of Evansville, Ind., died Oct. 15 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Babb was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Terre Haute, Ind.

Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Hines, 26, of Olney, Ill., died Oct. 15 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Hines was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Terre Haute, Ind.

Sgt. Jonathan J. Simpson, 25, of Rockport, Texas, died Oct. 14 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Simpson was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

For further information related to Sgt. Babb and Lance Cpl. Hines the media can contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at (504) 678-4177.

For further information related to Sgt. Simpson the media can contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at (760) 725-5044.