GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Three U.S. soldiers from sister infantry battalions in Italy who were killed in enemy attacks in Afghanistan during the past week have been identified.

Spc. Justin L. Horsley, 21, of Palm Bay, Fla., and Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar, 20, of Chuluota, Fla., were killed July 22 in Pul-E Alam when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device, according to the Department of Defense.

Pfc. Adam C. Ross, 19, of Lyman, S.C., was killed by small arms fire in an attack two days later in Wardak province, according to a department news release.

The three soldiers were with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, which cased its colors in mid-June for a nine-month deployment to Logar and Wardak provinces. The 173rd is based in Vicenza, Italy, and commands subordinate units in both Italy and Germany.

A memorial ceremony wil be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the chapel on Caserma Ederle honoring all three soldiers.

Horsley and Salazar were assigned to the brigade’s 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment; Ross was part of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment.

The 173rd has lost 82 soldiers in four deployments to Afghanistan and one to Iraq since 2003.

Migrated