Staff Sgt. Michael C. Murphrey

A paratrooper from Fort Richardson died in the Waza Khawa North District of Paktika Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 6.

Staff Sgt. Michael C. Murphrey, 25, of Snyder, Texas, was killed by an improvised explosive device while on a dismounted patrol.

Murphrey was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division at Forward Operating Base Sharnana. The brigade is home-based at Fort Richardson.

Murphrey joined the Army in October 2003, served at Fort Bragg, N. C., and arrived at Fort Richardson in April 2008.

Next of kin have been notified.

As of Sep. 11, 2009 there have been 23 Soldier deaths in U.S. Army Alaska this year, 17 combat related, 6 non combat related, according to a press release.