The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Sgt. 1st Class David A. Hartman, 41, of Akron, Mich., died July 17 in Bayji, Iraq, when the vehicle he was driving was hit by an improvised explosive device. Hartman was assigned to the Army Reserve's 401st Transportation Company from Battle Creek, Mich.

• Spc. Craig S. Frank, 24, of Lincoln Park, Mich., died July 17 near Baghdad, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Frank was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1775th Military Police Company from Pontiac, Mich.

The incidents are under investigation.

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