Pentagon Identifies Army Casualties (OEF) (Philippines)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2009 -- The following news release made available Thursday by the U.S. Department of Defense is the text of a statement identifying casualties:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Sept. 29 in Jolo Island, the Philippines, from the detonation of an improvised-explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Killed were:

• Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw, 37, of Markham, Ill.

• Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Okla.

The incident is under investigation.

(Report from a U.S. Defense Department news release.)