Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers

The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 4, in Maiwand, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when their vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36thInfantry, 1stBrigade Combat Team, 1stArmored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Killed were:

1stLt. Brandon J. Landrum, 26, of Lawton, Okla.,

Staff Sgt. Francis G. Phillips IV, 28, of Meridian, N.Y.,

Spc. Kevin Cardoza, 19, of Mercedes, Texas,

Spc. Thomas P. Murach, 22, of Meridian, Idaho, and

Spc. Brandon J. Prescott, 24, of Bend, Ore.