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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 542-06
June 12, 2006

DoD Identifies Navy Casualty

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

Hospitalman Zachary M. Alday, 22, of Donalsonville, Ga., died June 9 from injuries sustained earlier in the day when the vehicle in which he was riding struck a land mine.  His unit was conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

Alday was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 7th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Camp Pendleton, Calif.

For further information related to this release, contact Navy Public Affairs at (703) 697-5342.