The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Dec. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. They were all assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Killed were:

Sgt. Brennan C. Gibson, 26, of Tualatin, Ore.

Spc. Philip C. Ford, 21, of Freeport, Texas.

Pfc. Shawn M. Murphy, 24, of Fort Bragg, N.C.

For further information related to this release, contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, Public Affairs Office at 907-384-2072.