U.S. Department of Defense
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 573-06
June 19, 2006

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

They died in Pech River Valley, Afghanistan, on June 16, when their all terrain vehicle struck an improvised explosive device during combat operations.  Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Forrest P. Ewens, 25, of Washington state.

Sgt. Ian T. Sanchez, 26, of Staten Island, N.Y.

Media with questions about these soldiers can call the 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office at (315) 772-7634.