The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Rafael L. Navea, 34, of Pittsburgh, PA, was killed on Aug. 27 in Al Fallujah, Iraq. Navea was in a vehicle when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. Navea died of his injuries. Navea was assigned to C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, based at Fort Sill, Okla.

Pfc. Pablo Manzano, 19, B Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, V Corps, Bamberg,Germany, of Heber, Calif., died on Aug. 25 in Logistical Support Area Dogwood, Iraq. Manzano died as a result of a non-combat weapons discharge.

These incidents are under investigation.