Military

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  They died of injuries sustained in Bayji, Iraq, on Nov. 17, when their HMMWV was involved in a vehicle accident during convoy operations.  Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

            Killed were:

            Spc. Vernon R. Widner, 34, of Redlands, Calif., in Tikrit, Iraq, on Nov. 17.

            Pfc. Anthony A. Gaunky, 19, of Sparta, Wis., at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, on Nov. 18.

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