The Pentagon has announced that TSgt. William H. Jefferson Jr., 34, of Norfolk, Va., died March 22 from wounds received when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan. Jefferson had deployed from Air Force Special Operations Command’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.