Marine Pfc. Steven W. Freund

Died May 23, 2006 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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20, of Pittsburgh; assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; killed May 23 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karmah, Iraq. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Robert G. Posivio III.

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Despite previous injuries, Marine believed in his mission

PLEASANT HILLS, Pa. — A Marine private from western Pennsylvania was killed when a roadside bomb targeted his Humvee, his aunt said.

Pvt. Steven Freund, 20, of Pleasant Hills, was killed along with another Marine when the blast rocked their vehicle, Freund’s aunt Donna Eiben said Wednesday. Freund was killed Tuesday and two Marines came to her home to announce his death later that day, Eiben said.

Freund had suffered previous injuries from roadside bombs, but Eiben said he believed in his mission.

“He said he was glad to be doing what he was doing and that it was bringing freedom to us as well,” Eiben said.

The Defense Department did not immediately release any information on Freund’s death.

— The Associated Press