Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Jan. 6 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enermy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, 32, of Indianapolis, Ind.

Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr., 44, of Hamlet, Ind.

Spc. Christopher A. Patterson, 20, of Aurora, Ill.

Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt, 21, of Merrillville, Ind.

They were assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind.

For more information media should contact the Indiana National Guard public affairs office, Maj. Shawn Gardner at 317-247-3222 (office)/ 317-407-7065 (cell), or Staff Sgt. Les Newport at 317-247-3222 (office)/ 317-538-8414 (cell).