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

Spc. Gary L. Gooch Jr., 22, of Ocala, FL, died Nov. 5 in Jelewar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Gooch was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.