The Department of Defense announced Thursday the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died March 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive on March 23. They were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. Killed were:

Pvt. George Delgado, 21, of Palmdale, Calif. Delgado was an infantryman.

He joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at Fort Stewart in September 2007.

Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Hake, 26, of Enid, Okla. Hake was an infantryman.

He joined the Army in June 2000 and arrived at Fort Stewart in June 2004.

Pfc. Andrew J. Habsieger, 22, of Festus, Mo. Habsieger was an infantryman.

He joined the Army in February 2007 and arrived at Fort Stewart in July 2007.

Spc. Jose A. Rubio Hernandez, 24, of Mission, Texas. Hernandez was an infantryman. He joined the Army in January 2006 and arrived at Fort Stewart in May 2006.