Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 21 near Baghdad, Iraq of wound sustained when their unit was attacked by enemy forces using improvise explosive devices while on dismounted patrol.

Killed were:

Major Jason E. George, 38, of Tehachapi, Calif. He was an Army Reservist assigned to the 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

First Lieutenant Leevi K. Barnard, 28, of Mount Airy, N.C. He was a National Guardsman assigned to the 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Sgt. Paul F. Brooks, 34, of Joplin, Mo. He was a National Guardsman assigned to the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, Springfield, Missouri.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

For more information media may contact the N.C. National Guard public affairs office at (919)-664-6242 or after duty hours (919)-664-6531.

For more information media may contact the Mo. National Guard public affairs office at (573) 638-9846 or (888) 526-6664 x9846.

For more information regarding Major Jason E. George, media may contact LTC Maria Quon or MSG Keith O'Donnell at HRC-St. Louis, Mo. at (314) 592-0000 ext. 42007 or