DoD Identifies Three Army Casualties: Eric D. Cottrell, 39, Juan M. Lopez Jr., 23 and Paulomarko U. Pacificador, 24

August 16, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died Aug. 13 in Qayyarah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

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They were assigned to the 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Eric D. Cottrell, 39, of Pittsview, Alabama.

Pfc. Juan M. Lopez Jr., 23, of San Antonio, Texas.

Pfc. Paulomarko U. Pacificador, 24, of Shirley, New York.

Source: DoD