The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pvt. Kyle C. Gilbert, 20, of Brattleboro, Vt., was killed on Aug. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq. An Iraqi vehicle opened fire on Gilbert’s unit. Gilbert died of injuries received during the ambush. Gilbert was assigned to C Company, 2^nd Battalion, 325^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. Leonard D. Simmons, 33, of New Bern, N.C., died on Aug. 6 in Mosul, Iraq. Simmons died of a non-combat related cause. Simmons was assigned to C Company, 3^rd Battalion, 502^nd Infantry Regiment, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.