The Department of Defense has identified 2,976 American service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war. It confirmed the deaths of the following Americans yesterday:

CLAYTON, Hayes, 29, Capt., Army; of Georgia, First Infantry Division.

CRUTCHFIELD, Michael J., 21, Specialist, Army; Stockton, Calif.; Third Battalion, Fourth Air Defense Artillery.

KOPRINCE, William C. Jr., 24, Lance Cpl., Marines; Lenoir City, Tenn.; Second Marine Division.

LANHAM, Jane E., 43, Lt. Cmdr., Navy; Owensboro, Ky.; Naval Branch Health Clinic, Bahrain.

NAPPER, Roger Jr., 30, Petty Officer Third Class, Navy; Greensburg, Pa.; Mobile Security Squadron Three, Bahrain.

SCHMITZ, Joshua M., 21, Cpl., Marines; Spencer, Wis.; Second Marine Division.

STRONG, Joseph A., 21, Specialist, Army; Lebanon, Ind.; 25th Infantry Division.

TINSLEY, Douglas L., 21, Specialist, Army; Chester, S.C.; 25th Infantry Division.

WHEELOUS, Dexter E., 37, Sgt. First Class, Army; Winder, Ga.; First Infantry Division.