The Department of Defense has identified 3,485 American service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war. It confirmed the deaths of the following Americans this week:

AKIN, James C., 23, Sgt., Army; Albuquerque, N.M.; Second Infantry Division.

BALMER, Ryan A., 33, Tech Sgt., Air Force; Mishawaka, Ind.; Office of Special Investigations.

CHRISTOPHER, Caleb P., 25, Sgt., Army; Chandler, Ariz.; First Cavalry Division.

COSTELLO, Jeremiah D., 22, Specialist, Army; Carlinville, Ill.; First Cavalry Division.

GAGARIN, Greg P., 38, Staff Sgt., Army; Los Angeles; Second Infantry Division.

KRITZ, Tyler J., 21, Sgt., Army; Eagle River, Wis.; Second Infantry Division.

KUGLICS, Matthew J., 25, Staff Sgt., Air Force; North Canton, Ohio; Office of Special Investigations.

NEPSA, Keith V., 21, Specialist, Army; New Philadelphia, Ohio; First Cavalry Division.

SURBER, Robert A., 24, Sgt., Army; Inverness, Fla.; Second Infantry Division.