IED Blast Kills Edmond And Broken Arrow Soldiers In Afghanistan

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY--Two Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers died from wounds inflicted by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Janak Kheyl, Afghanistan Friday the Defense Department reported.

Second Lt. Jered W. Ewy, 33, of Edmond, and Spc. Augustus J. Vicari, 22, of Broken Arrow, died July 29, while conducting a dismounted patrol.

Two additional Oklahoma soldiers and an attached Mississippi Air National Guardsman were injured by the same explosive device and are currently hospitalized.

Ewy was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Vinita, Okla., and Vicari was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Sand Springs, Okla.

Maj. Gen. Myles L. Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma, said, "This loss of life has shaken every member of the Oklahoma National Guard to their core. We have lost two very brave men who once raised their hands and took an oath to defend our nation. They courageously gave everything they had to ensure our freedom and safety and their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

The 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry is made up of approximately 500 Oklahoma Guardsmen. They mobilized with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in March and left for duty in Afghanistan in June.