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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 864-05
August 23, 2005

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died on August 21 near Baylough, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

Killed were:

Spc. Blake W. Hall, 20, of East Prairie, Mo.

1st Lt. Joshua M. Hyland, 31, of Missoula, Mont.

Sgt. Michael R. Lehmiller, 23, of Anderson, S.C.

Pvt. Christopher L. Palmer, 22, of Sacramento, Calif.

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