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

Pfc. Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia, 21, of Santa Clarita, Calif., died Nov. 16 in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit his convoy. Flores-Mejia was assigned to the 25th Transportation Company, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Spc. Daniel James McConnell, 27, of Duluth, Minn., died Nov. 16 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when he was involved in a vehicle accident. McConnell was assigned to the 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.