Two hero soldiers are killed in Afghanistan during a fight with the evil Taliban
The Pentagon has identified two U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan while involved in combat operations Friday in Kunduz Province. The men were identified Saturday as Spc. Collette, 29, of Lancaster, Ohio, and Sgt. 1st Class Will D. Lindsay, 33, of Cortez, Colorado.
Collette was assigned to the 242nd Ordnance Battalion, 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, and Lindsay was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Both were based at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Two US defense officials added that initial indications are that they were killed during a fight with the Taliban. Afghan troops were also killed in the incident. Collette died from wounds sustained when his unit encountered enemy fire.
'The 71st Ordnance Group is deeply saddened by the loss of Spc. Green, the group's commander. 'We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends.'.
Collette joined the Army in 2010, the Department of Defense said, and arrived in Fort Carson in June 2012.
He was first deployed to Afghanistan in December 2018, serving as an explosive ordinance disposal specialist, his bio stated.He has received numerous awards, including a Purple Heart and four Army Achievement Medals.
Collette had married his wife, Caela, just prior to his deployment. Collette’s family told Stars and Stripes he had joined the Army after graduating from high school. According to Army spokesman Lt. Col.
Loren Bymer, Lindsay enlisted in the Army in 2004 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal, among other awards. His deployments include a five tours in Iraq, as well as tours in Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
His awards include five Bronze Star Medals and the Purple Heart, along with the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge and Master Parachutist Badge. He is survived by a wife and four daughters, officials said.
Col. Lawrence Ferguson, commander of the 10th Special Forces group, of which Lindsay was a member, said in a statement that his fellow soldiers are 'deeply saddened' by his loss.
'Will was one of the best in our formation, with more than a decade of service in the Regiment at all levels of non-commissioned officer leadership.
We will focus now on supporting his Family and honoring his legacy and sacrifice,' Ferguson said to CNN.
The deaths marks the third and fourth US military casualties in Afghanistan in 2019 and comes as the Trump administration has sought to negotiate with the Taliban to help bring the conflict to an end.
In 2018, 12 U.S. troops were killed there. The deaths underscore the difficulties in bringing peace to the war-ravaged country.
Approximately 14,000 American military personnel remain in Afghanistan in the 18th year since the war began and more than four years after combat operations under Operation Enduring Freedom formally came to an end.