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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 034-05
January 11, 2005

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

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

They died Jan. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit their military vehicle. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade, Lake Charles, La.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. William F. Manuel, 34, of Kinder, La.

Sgt. Robert W. Sweeney III, 22, of Pineville, La.

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