Three Schofield Barracks soldiers died in Afghanistan over the weekend after coming under fire from the enemy, the Department of Defense said today.

Killed were 1st Lt. Dimitri A. Del Castillo, 24, of Tampa, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly, 26, of Menifee Calif.; and Spc. Kevin J. Hilaman, 28, of Albany, Calif.

Del Castillo and Kelly died Saturday in Kunar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their units with small arms fire, the DOD said. Hilaman died Sunday in Kunar province of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

Hilaman was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield. Hillman joined the Army on March 7, 2003 as an infantryman. This was his third overseas deployment.

Del Castillo was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks and joined the Army on May 23, 2009.

Kelly joined the Army Aug. 20, 2003 as a Combat Engineer. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Two Schofield Barracks soldiers died in combat last week in Kunar province, one of the most violent areas of eastern Afghanistan. Four others died last month when a homemade bomb exploded on May 23.

Violence has been on the rise across Afghanistan since the country’s Taliban Islamists launched a spring offensive and promised retaliation for the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in a U.S. raid in Pakistan on May 2.

NATO has recently withdrawn many of its combat troops from forward operating bases and combat outposts in Kunar and Nangarhar. Both provinces continue to be heavily contested by Taliban fighters and Afghan border officials say Pakistani Taliban have moved in behind fleeing civilians in the border area.

Kelly’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 4), Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Sapper Badge.

Del Catillo’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal and the NATO Medal.

Hilaman’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, (with numeral 2), NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.