Two soldiers from Southern California killed in Afghanistan

Two soldiers from Southern California have been killed in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Friday.

Sgt. 1st-class Jeffrey Baker, 29, of Hesperia in San Bernardino County, and Spec. William Gilbert, 24, from Hacienda Heights, were killed Tuesday when their unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device in Sanjaray, Afghanistan.

Gilbert enlisted in August 2010 and was on his first combat tour. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, from Fort Bliss, Texas.

Baker enlisted in October 2004. He was on his second deployment and was assigned to the 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, from Fort Stewart, Ga. He was awarded the Bronze Star, posthumously.

tony.perry@latimes.com