The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Nov. 1, in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 700th Brigade Support Battalion; 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; Oklahoma National Guard; Tulsa, OK.

Killed were SPC Christopher D. Gailey, 26, of Ochelata, Okla. and PFC Sarina N. Butcher, 19, of Checotah, Okla. died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the Paktia province of Afghanistan, the DOD said.

They suffered fatal wounds when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device, officials said.

PFC Butcher leaves behind her 2-year-old, Butcher’s family says.

Caney Valley High School Principal Debra Keil said she was a counselor when Gailey attended junior and senior high school in the Caney Valley Public Schools District.

“I can tell you I do remember when he was in school he was always — I know it sounds like a real cliché — but he always did have smile on his face. I remember him being a very cheerful and likable and outgoing kid,” said Keil. “We are as a community very saddened by this and all of our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

Read more: http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/oklahoma-military-members-killed-overseas-#ixzz1caJjUTUY

SPC Gailey and PFC Butcher are the 1,828th and 1,829th Americans killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden