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

Lance Cpl. Robert F. Eckfield Jr., 23, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Lance Cpl. Jared J. Kremm, 24, of Hauppage, N.Y., died Oct. 27 from an indirect fire explosion in Saqlawiyah, Iraq. Kremm died at the scene while Eckfield succumbed to his wounds at a nearby medical center. Both were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Media with questions about these Marines can call the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at 910-451-9033.