Dead soldiers identified as 3rd Brigade members

FORT DRUM — Four soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Monday have been identified as 10th Mountain Division soldiers.

Those killed were Sgt. Gregory Owens Jr., 24; Spc. Anthony M. Lightfoot, 20; Spc. Andrew J. Roughton, 21, and Pfc. Dennis J. Pratt, 34. They were with the 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

The four soldiers died from wounds suffered after their vehicle detonated an improvised explosive device in Wardak Province. The roadside bomb attack was followed by a small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack.

As the Department of Defense announced the names of the four soldiers, two more American soldiers and one Briton were killed in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday. That brings the death toll for the month of July to the highest since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. So far this month, 34 Americans and 19 Britons have been killed.

The four Fort Drum soldiers identified on Wednesday were field artillery automated tactical data systems specialists and were members of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery. This was the first deployment for all four soldiers.

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team deployed in January and the deaths of these soldiers brings the toll to 16 in the last seven months. The unit is set to return next January.

Sgt. Owens was from Garland, Texas. He joined the Army in January 2007 and came to Fort Drum in June 2007. His awards include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He is survived by his parents.

Spc. Lightfoot was from Riverdale, Ga. He joined the Army in January 2008 and came to Fort Drum in June 2008. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star. He is survived by his parents.

Spc. Roughton was from Houston, Texas. He joined the Army in January 2007 and came to Fort Drum in June 2007. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He is survived by his wife and father.

Pfc. Pratt was from Duncan, Okla. He joined the Army in January 2008 and came to Fort Drum in June 2008. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and the National Defense Service Medal. He is survived by his wife, children and father.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.