The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Oct. 15 of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Kirkuk, Iraq, during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Joshua Deese, 25, of North Carolina. He died in Balad, Iraq, following the incident.

Sgt. Jonathan E. Lootens, 25, of Lyons, N.Y.

For further information related to this release the media can contact the 25th Infantry Division public affairs office at (808) 655-4815 or (808) 655-8729.