The Department of Defense announced today the death of five Soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on March 31, in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit their armored personnel carrier. All of the soldiers were assigned to the Army,s 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. Killed were:

1st Lt. Doyle M. Hufstedler, 25, of Abilene, Texas.

Spc. Sean R. Mitchell, 24, of Youngsville, Pa.

Spc. Michael G. Karr Jr., 23, of San Antonio, Texas.

Pfc. Cleston C. Raney, 20, of Rupert, Idaho.

Pvt. Brandon L. Davis, 20, of Cumberland, Md.

The incident is under investigation.

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