Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Utah soldier killed trying to save comrade in Afghanistan

This is an article that was emailed to me from my sister, he was her friend and trained with her. I just wanted to dedicate this article to those who had lost someone.

 

 

Utah soldier killed trying to save comrade in Afghanistan


Written by: Dan Metcalf Jr.

Reported by: Kelli O'Hara
Reported by: Annie Cutler
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Updated: 10/15 3:21 am
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A soldier from Utah has been killed in Afghanistan.

ABC 4 News has learned that 19-year-old Jordan Byrd was killed while trying to save a fallen comrade during a gun battle, according to family members.

Byrd's family says Jordan joined the U.S. Army and became a medic in order to pay for medical school.

According to Byrd's family, Jordan was trying to assist a soldier who had been shot by a sniper, and used his body as a shield to protect a member of his unit.

Byrd's wife recently gave birth to the couple's son. A month ago, doctors induced labor only two days before Jordan deployed to Afghanistan.

Byrd spent some of his childhood in Dugway, Utah.

He is the fourth Utah soldier to die in Afghanistan since August 2010.

Capt. Ellery R. Wallace  was killed August 29th, Sgt. Aaron K. Kramer was killed on September 16th, Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Wagstaff was killed on September 21st.

The Governor sent his condolences through a statement that says, "We are saddened to learn of the death of another young Utah soldier serving his country overseas. Private First Class Byrd has paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and our American way of life, and for that he will never be forgotten.”