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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 173-06
February 28, 2006

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died near Balad, Iraq, on Feb. 22, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Bradley Fighting Vehicle.  All three soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

            Killed were:

            Staff Sgt. Curtis T. Howard II, 32, of Ann Arbor, Mich.

            Sgt. Gordon F. Misner II, 23, of Sparks, Nev.

            Spc. Thomas J. Wilwerth, 21, of Mastic, N.Y.    

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