Michigan Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
A Michigan soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. Reports say that 36-year old Army Staff Sgt. Matt West of Gaylord died Monday while on duty.
His wife and three children had been living in Fort Carson, Colorado, where he was stationed.
The Associated Press reported that five more American troops were killed on Tuesday, and that recent attacks and fighting claimed the lives of 19 U.S. Service members over a 4-day period.
According to the Gaylord Herald Times, West was trained in Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD). West's sister, Kristine Willis, said her brother was a 1992 graduate of Gaylord High School, The family received notification of his death Monday from the Department of Defense but did not have any details how West had died. Willis said West had been deployed to Afghanistan in July.
The Department of Defense had not confirmed West's death as of Tuesday evening, and a DOD spokesman declined comment.
The latest casualties come during a bloody spell which the AP reports have left 19 service members dead since Saturday. The deaths bring August's total to 55, still fewer than the 66 killed in July, the deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion.
West's family is considering burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
(Copyright 2010 by WWJ Radio. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
