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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 541-06
June 12, 2006

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

Pvt. Benjamin J. Slaven, 22, of Plymouth, Neb., died on June 9, in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.  Slaven was assigned to the Army Reserve 308th Transportation Company, Lincoln, Neb.

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