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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 684-04
July 16, 2004

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died July 14 in Talafar, Iraq, when their vehicle rolled over as the driver tried to avoid another vehicle. The two Soldiers were assigned to the Armys 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. Killed were:

Cpl. Demetrius L. Rice, 24, of Ortonville, Minn.

Pfc. Jesse J. Martinez, 20, of Tracy, Calif.

The incident is under investigation.

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