KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The Department of Defense announced Thursday the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died March 9 in Khowst province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small-arms, indirect and rocket-propelled grenade fires. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:

Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, of Bald Knob, Ark.

Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, N.Y.