United States Department of Defense

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

First Sgt. Michael S. Barnhill, 39, of Folsom, Calif., died May 28 after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Haqlaniyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserves 6^th Engineer Support Battalion, 4^th Force Service Support Group, Eugene, Ore. During Operation Iraqi Freedom his unit was attached to 2^nd FSSG, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Media with questions about this Marine can call the Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs Office at (504) 678-4178.