Military

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

            Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Benson, 40, of Winona, Minn., died on Aug. 10 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of injuries sustained on Aug. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device struck his convoy.  Benson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 78th Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

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