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

They died Dec. 27 in Baghdad of wounds received from an improvised explosive device that detonated near them while on dismounted patrol. Both soldiers were assigned to 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Sgt. Christopher P. Messer, 28, of Petersburg, Fla.

Pfc. Nathaniel A. Given, 21, of Dickinson, Texas.

For more information on these soldiers, contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-5461.