The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.They died April 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations.They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

Killed were:

Capt. Anthony Palermo, 26, of Brockton, Mass.

Spc. Ryan S. Dallam, 24, of Norman, Okla.

Pvt. Damian Lopez Rodriguez, Tucson, Ariz.

For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 011-49-611-705-4859.