The Department of Defense confirms the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, one of which was from Missouri.

Killed were Spc. Christopher G. Stark, 22, of Monett, Mo., and Staff Sgt. Chauncy R. Mays, 25, of Cookville, Texas.

They died Feb. 28, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

The Defense Department says they were assigned to the 63rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 20th Support Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.