DoD Identifies Army Casualties
April 26, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today the death of nine soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 23 in As Sadah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their location.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers, 26, of Hastings, Neb.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Locker Jr., 28, of Wakefield, Neb.

Staff Sgt. William C. Moore, 27, of Benson, N.C.

Sgt. Randell T. Marshall, 22, of Fitzgerald, Ga.

Sgt. Brice A. Pearson, 32, of Phoenix, Az.

Sgt. Michael L. Vaughan, 20, of Otis, Ore.

Spc. Jerry R. King, 19, of Browersville, Ga.

Spc. Michael J. Rodriguez, 20, of Sanford, N.C.

Pfc. Garrett C. Knoll, 23, of Bad Axe, Mich.

All were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661.