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A 23-year-old soldier from Morehead City died Thursday in the Afghan province of Helmand, said the North Carolina Army National Guard.
Sgt. James Allen Slape was injured by an improvised explosive device, according to the National Guard press release.
No other details were immediately available. An investigation has been opened, said the National Guard, citing the Ministry of Defense.
Slape was assigned to the 60th command of the National Guard of North Carolina, the 430th explosive company, based in Washington, northeast, about 110 miles east of Raleigh. The unit traveled to Afghanistan in April and is expected to return next spring, the National Guard announced.
Slape joined the National Guard in 2013 and graduated from the School of Explosives in 2015. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant after his death.
In the press release, Major-General Greg Lusk, Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard, is deeply saddened by the announcement of Slape's death. "We pay tribute to his bravery, to his selfless service, and we express our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and his fellow soldiers, as we hold them firmly in our hearts and prayers at this difficult time.
Governor Roy Cooper also expressed his condolences to Slape's family and fellow soldiers. "The National Guard members step in and answer the call of the service wherever they are needed, whether it is at home to help during a natural disaster or overseas to protect our security. national. They leave home, their families and their work and put their lives in danger for us. "
There are about 550 soldiers of the National Army Guard of NATO abroad, including about 340 in Afghanistan, said Lt. Col. Matthew DeVivo during an interview telephone.
Sgt. Slape is the soldier of the 26th century National Army Guard to be killed in action since September 11, 2001.
Brosseau 919-829-4627; @carlibrosseau
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