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

• Pfc. Brian R. Bates, Jr., 20, of Gretna, La., died Oct. 27 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

In addition, the Department of Defense announced today the death of a Department of the Air Force civilian who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:

• Frank R. Walker, 66, of Oklahoma City, Okla., died of non-combat related medical causes Oct 28 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 72nd Civil Engineering Directorate, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.