The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:

• Spc. Brandon K. Steffey, 23, of Sault Sainte Marie, Mich., died Oct. 25 in Laghman province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.

In addition, the Department of Defense announced today the deaths of seven soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash. Killed were:

•  Staff Sgt. Luis M. Gonzalez, 27, of South Ozone Park, N.Y.
•  Sgt. Fernando Delarosa, 24, of Alamo, Texas.
•  Sgt. Dale R. Griffin, 29, of Terre Haute, Ind.
•  Sgt. Issac B. Jackson, 27, of Plattsburg, Mo.
•  Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson, 24, of Broussard, La.
•  Spc. Jared D. Stanker, 22, of Evergreen Park, Ill.
•  Pfc. Christopher I. Walz, 25, of Vancouver, Wash.

Also, the Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:

• Lance Cpl. Cody R. Stanley, 21, of Rosanky, Texas, died Oct. 28 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.