Defense Department Announces 2 Local Men Killed In Afghanistan

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  — The Department of Defense announced Friday the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom -- two of the men were from Southern California.

The men were killed May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan.

All suffered wounds when enemy forces attacked their unit with an IED, improvised explosive device.

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, and Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, were killed along with Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass.

Baker was on his second tour of duty, Gilbert was on his first.

On Facebook, Gilbert said two months ago that he was starting a journal. He also wrote of kids in Afghanistan and how they were no different from American kids.

Gilbert also talked about loving his wife Monica, the Dodgers and USC.