Pentagon Identifies Army Casualties (OEF)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2009 -- The following news release made available Monday 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 Oct. 2 in Murcheh, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when they were attacked by a suicide bomber. They were assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, N.C.

Killed were:

• Capt. Benjamin A. Sklaver, 32, of Medford, Mass.

• Pfc. Alan H. Newton Jr., 26, of Asheboro, N.C.

The incident is under investigation.

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