The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pvt. Dustin L. Kreider, 19, of Riverton, Kan., died March 21 near Samarra, Iraq during a unit weapon test-firing incident. Kreider was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, based in Schweinfurt, Germany.

The incident is under investigation.

For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.