AFGHANISTAN: 4 American casualties identified

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The Defense Department has identified three soldiers who were killed Thursday when their convoy was attacked with roadside bombs, gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades near Forward Operating Base Shank in Lowgar province, Afghanistan. At least 537 U.S. service members have died in the war.

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, Mich.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Spc. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., were assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.

Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, of Goshen, Ind., was killed by a roadside bomb while on combat patrol Friday near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, N.C.