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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 296-11
April 12, 2011

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Sgt. Brent M. Maher, 31, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, died April 11 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, Iowa National Guard, Shenandoah, Iowa.

            For more information the media may contact the Iowa National Guard public affairs office at 515-252-4582.

            UPDATE:  April 13, 2011 -- Spc. Maher was posthumously promoted to sergeant.