Kansas soldier from Drum is killed in Afghanistan

A Fort Drum soldier died Friday in the Wardak province of Afghanistan during what the Army called "a dismounted joint operation."

Sgt. Aaron M. Smith, 25, Manhattan, Kan., died from injuries suffered from enemy small-arms fire, a Defense Department press release said Sunday afternoon.

Sgt. Smith served as a fire support specialist with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. This was his second deployment since joining the Army in May 2004. He arrived at Fort Drum in September 2004.

Sgt. Smith's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Meritorious Unit Citation.

Another soldier taking part in the operation, Pfc. Brandon A. Owens, 21, Memphis, Tenn., with the XVIII Airborne Corps, also died. He was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C.