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

Lance Cpl. Matthew W. Clark, 22, of St. Louis, Mo.

Lance Cpl. Luke C. Yepsen, 20, of Kingwood, Texas.

Both Marines died December 14 due to injuries suffered from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Clark was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Yepsen was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Media with questions about Clark can call the Hawaii public affairs office at (808) 257-8870. Media with questions about Yepsen can contact Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms public affairs office at (760) 830-5472.