The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Killed were:
Sgt. Channing B. Hicks, 24, of Greer, S.C., and
Spc. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, of Booneville, Ark.
They died Nov. 16, in Paktika province, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
For more information please contact the 1st Infantry Division public affairs office during duty hours at 785-240-1796, or after hours at 785-250-3791.
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from 5newsonline:
Posted on: 3:19 pm, November 18, 2012, by Marty Cook, updated on: 10:33pm, November 18, 2012
Spc. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, was killed in the Paktika province while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Richardson was posthumously promoted to sergeant after his death, according to his military unit’s Facebook page.
The Department of Defense said Richardson and another soldier died from wounds sustained from small arms fire and an improvised explosive device.
“Specialist Joseph A. Richardson was a true American hero – giving his life in service to our great country,” said U.S. Representative Mike Ross in a released statement. “His bravery, dedication and patriotism exemplified what it means to be an American soldier and I am eternally grateful for his selfless sacrifice. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, parents and the rest of his many family and friends during this very difficult time.”
Richardson’s wife lives in Manhattan, Kan., while his mother lives in Dakota City, Iowa, and his dad in Gilmore City, Iowa. Richardson and the other soldier were with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division based in Fort Riley, Kan.
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from goupstate:
jennifer.arnold@shj.com
Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.
A soldier from Greer was killed in Afghanistan on Friday when his unit was attacked by enemy forces, according to the Department of Defense.
U.S. Army Sgt. Channing B. Hicks, 24, of Greer and U.S. Army Spc. Joseph A. Richardson of Booneville, Ark., 23, died Friday in Paktika province.
The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Officials say the men died from injuries they suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.
Hicks, known as “Bo” to family and friends, grew up in Greer and graduated from Greer High School in 2006, where he played football.
Greer High School athletic director Travis Perry knew Bo Hicks and grew up with Hicks' father, Chan Hicks Sr.
“He was really a fine young man,” Perry said Sunday. “He was always, ‘Yes, sir. No, sir.' He was a quiet kid and didn't play a whole lot, but he played for our scout team and found a way to contribute. He was part of the foundation of our team, helping the other players prepare for the games each week.”
Perry said he spoke to Hicks' father early Saturday. The family left early Sunday morning for Dover, Md., to meet the plane carrying Hicks' body back to the United States.
“They're having a really hard time with it, as can be expected,” Perry said. “He made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It's a loss for our whole country.”
Hicks' younger brother, John, is a star senior linebacker with the Greer High School football team. Perry said John Hicks looked up to his older brother.
During the weekend, friends and family posted on Bo Hicks' Facebook page, sharing their memories, including four-wheeling and fishing with him, and hailing the 24-year-old as a hero.
John Hicks also shared his feelings about his brother on Facebook.
“First I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” John Hicks wrote. “I also wanted to say that my brother was a good man, he served our country well and did it with pride. He was not just my brother but my best friend and my hero. I could talk to him about girls, fights, and Friday night football games. There will never be a moment forgotten with Bo. R.I.P Bo Hicks. I love you.”
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