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

Both soldiers died on August 18, 2005, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated underneath their HMMWV during ground assault convoy operations.

The soldiers were assigned to the Army's 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Provisional), Fort Lewis, Wash.

Killed were: