The Department of Defense has officially announced the deaths of three Fort Drum soldiers in Afghanistan.
28-year-old Staff Sgt. Jeffrey A. Hall of Huntsville, Alabama,33-year-old Pfc. Matthew D. Ogden of Corpus Christi, Texas, and 19-year-old Pfc. Matthew W. Wilson of Miller, Missouri died June 1 in Nerkh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
All three men were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment.
Following is information about each soldier provided by Fort Drum.
Staff Sergeant Jeffrey A. Hall, age 28, of Huntsville, Alabama.
Hall was a squad leader with the 2-87th, 3rd BCT. He joined the Army in August 2000 and served at Fort Benning, Ga., and Camp Merrill in Dahlonega, Ga., before coming to Fort Drum in October 2005.
Hall's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Senior Parachutist Badge.
Hall was a graduate of the Ranger Course, Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course and Warrior Leader Course among others.
Hall had two previous deployments to Afghanistan, December 2001 to April
2002 and January 2006 to May 2007.
Hall is survived by his wife and daughter.
Private First Class Matthew D. Ogden, age 33, of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Ogden was a rifleman with the 2-87th, 3rd BCT. He joined the Army in October 2007 and after completing training at Fort Benning, Ga., came to Fort Drum in February 2008.
Ogden was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Ogden is survived by his parents and two children.
Private First Class Matthew W. Wilson, age 19, of Miller, Missouri.
Wilson was an ammunition handler with the 2-87th, 3rd BCT. He joined the Army in February 2008 and after completing training at Fort Benning, Ga., came to Fort Drum in June 2008.
Wilson was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Wilson is survived by his wife and child.
