Military

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

        Staff Sgt. Ioasa F. Tavae, Jr., 29, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, died April 2, in Mosul, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Tavae was assigned to the Army's 1^st Battalion, 5^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Brigade Combat Team, 25^th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

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