Military

     The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

     Spc. James J. Holmes, 28, of East Grand Forks, Minn., died May 8 in Landstuhl, Germany, from injuries sustained on May 3 in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near the driver side of his military vehicle.  Spc. Holmes was assigned to C Company, 141^st Engineer Combat Battalion, North Dakota National Guard, Hettinger, N.D.

            The incident is under investigation.

            For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.