Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Russell A. Kurtz, 22, of Bethel Park, Pa., died in Fallajah, Iraq, Feb. 11 of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. Kurtz was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, public affairs office at (907) 384-1524.