The Department of Defense on Tuesday announced the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died April 6 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit in Zabul with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Killed were: Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Ward, 24, of Oak Ridge, Tenn. A cavalry scout, Ward joined the Army in November 2005 and arrived at the unit in October 2006. He was on his third deployment.
Spc. Wilbel A. Robles-Santa, 25, of Juncos, Puerto Rico. A cavalry scout, Robles-Santa, joined the Army in October 2010 and arrived at the unit in February 2011. He was on his second deployment.
Spc. Delfin M. Santos Jr., 24, of San Jose, Calif. A cavalry scout, Santos joined the Army in February 2007 and arrived at the unit in May 2011. He was on his second deployment.