BAGHDAD -- Five soldiers were killed and four others were wounded Thursday in several attacks throughout Iraq, putting the death tool for U.S. troops at 88. That's on pace to be one of the deadliest months for U.S. troops in years.

The U.S. military said:

• Two soldiers were killed when their patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device in a western section of the Iraqi capital. An Iraqi interpreter was also killed in the attack, the military said.
• A soldier was killed in Nineveh province when an explosion occurred near his vehicle. Two other soldiers were wounded in the incident and were taken to a coalition forces medical treatment facility for further treatment.
• A soldier died of wounds suffered from small-arms fire in Diyala province.
• One soldier was killed and one was wounded in an IED attack against their tactical vehicle near Salah Ad Din.
• A soldier was killed in Baghdad province May 22 when an explosion occurred near his vehicle.

The names of the deceased are being withheld until their families are informed.

The Defense Department also released the names of seven soldiers who were killed in Iraq.

Spc. Benjamin J. Ashley, 22, of Independence, Mo., died May 24 in Balad, Iraq, after an IED detonated near his vehicle. Ashley was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division of Fort Riley, Kan.

Staff Sgt. David C. Kuehl, 27, of Wahpeton, N.D., died May 22 in Taji, Iraq, after an IED detonated near his unit. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) of Fort Lewis, Wash.

Staff Sgt. Kristopher A. Higdon, 25, of Odessa, Texas, and Pfc. Robert A. Worthington, 19, of Jackson, Ga., died May 22 in Taji, Iraq, after an IED detonated near their unit. They were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) of Fort Lewis, Wash.

Staff Sgt. Shannon V. Weaver, 28, Urich, Mo.; Sgt. Brian D. Ardron, 32, of Acworth, Ga.; and Spc. Michael W. Davis, 22, of San Marcos, Texas, died May 21 in Baghdad after multiple IEDs detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division of Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Last month, 104 American troops were killed in Iraq.

Schoolmates Mourn Slain Soldier

An American soldier whose body was found in Iraq Wednesday is being remembered as a gentle jock.

There was a moment of silence for Pfc. Joseph Anzack at his high school in Torrance, Calif.

And Anzack was remembered as a "pumped up" athlete who made classmates laugh and comforted them when they needed it. The principal said Anzack, who graduated two years ago, should be honored for his service to America and for representing the school and city so well.

The school's front steps have become a makeshift shrine marked with flowers, balloons, and a sign reading: "You're our HERO."

Anzack vanished with two other soldiers when their combat team was ambushed May 12 about 20 miles outside of Baghdad. Five other soldiers, including an Iraqi, were killed.