Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died of wounds sustained when their patrol was attacked by direct fire from enemy forces in Aranus, Afghanistan, on Nov 9. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara, 24, of Torrance, Calif., who died Nov. 9 in Aranus.

Sgt. Jeffery S. Mersman, 23, of Parker, Kan., who died Nov. 10 in Aranus.

Spc. Sean K. A. Langevin, 23, of Walnut Creek, Calif., who died Nov. 9 in Aranus.

Spc. Lester G. Roque, 23, of Torrance, Calif., who died Nov. 10 in Aranus.

Pfc. Joseph M. Lancour, 21, of Swartz Creek, Mich., who died Nov. 10 in Aranus.

For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Southern European Task Force public affairs office at 011-39-0444-71-7011 or 011-39-0444-71-8020.