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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 415-06
May 09, 2006

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died in Baghdad, Iraq on May 5, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations.

Killed were:

1st. Sgt. Carlos N. Saenz, 46, of Las Vegas, Nev.

Spc. Teodoro Torres, 29, of  Las Vegas, Nev.

Sgt. Nathan J. Vacho, 29, of Janesville, Wis.

Saenz and Torres were assigned to the Army Reserve’s 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, Abilene, Texas.  Vacho was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, Knoxville, Tenn.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, all three were attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

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