Soldier from 4th Brigade Combat Team Killed in Khandahar Province

After nearly a week, the Department of Defense has officially announced the death of a Fort Bragg soldier from the Ozarks who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Tyler J. Smith, 24, of Licking, Mo. was killed last week in Khandahar province, according to military officials on Tuesday.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team paratrooper was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment was killed on April 3 by an enemy improvised explosive device in the Maiwand district during his second deployment to Afghanistan.

Smith is survived by his wife, Lara, and two children Wyatt, age 5 and Carson, age 2.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge and Parachutist Badge.

Smith was a 2006 graduate of Licking High School and according to a Rolla Daily News report, Smith's parents, Dan and Jeannie Smith were notified of their son's passing around 9 a.m. Wednesday.