Army Casualties

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

Sgt. 1st Class John S. Stephens, 41, of San Antonio, Texas, died March 15 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his patrol came under attack during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas

Sgt. Nimo W. Tauala, 29, of Honolulu, Hawaii, died March 17 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. He was assigned to the 209th Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The incident is under investigation.

For further information on Stephens, contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.

For further information on Tauala, contact the Schofield Barracks public affairs office at (808) 655-4815.