The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Dec. 6 in Hawijah, Iraq, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle while on patrol.

Killed were:

Sgt. Jesse J.J. Castro, 22, of Chalan Pago, American Samoa.

Cpl. Jason I. Huffman, 23, of Conover, N.C.

Spc. Joshua B. Madden, 21, of Sibley, La.

Spc. Yari Mokri, 26, of Pflugerville, Texas.

Pfc. Travis C. Krege, 24, of Cheektowaga, N.Y.

Castro, Huffman, Madden and Krege were all assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Mokri was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

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.