Military

           The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

            Lance Cpl. Daniel F. Swaim, 19, of Yadkinville, N.C., died Nov. 10 of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Steel Curtain in Karabilah, Iraq.  He was assigned to 3^rd Battalion, 6^th Marine Regiment, 2^nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

            Lance Cpl. David A. Mendez Ruiz, 20, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Lance Cpl. Scott A. Zubowski, 20, of Manchester, Ind., both died Nov. 12 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Amiriyah, Iraq.  Both Marines were assigned to 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Marine Regiment, 1^st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2^nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

            Media with questions about Swaim can call the 2^nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 451-9033.  Media with questions about Mendez Ruiz and Zubowski can call the Twentynine Palms Public Affairs Office at (760) 830-5472.