Two 4th Brigade Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

The Defense Department reported on Wednesday that two paratroopers from the 4th Brigade were killed in Zharay, Khandahar province after suffereing wounds from an improvised explosive device.

Staff Sgt. Richard L. Berry, 27, of Scottsdale, Ariz., died on July 22. He was assigned to the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Berry joined the Army on Feb. 23, 2006, and was deployed to Iraq in September 2006 until November 2007. After joining the 82nd Airborne Division in May 2009, he was deployed to Afghanistan in August and returned home in February 2010.

His awards included the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two knots, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal with Bronze Star, the Combat Action Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Pfc. Julian L. Colvin, 21, of Birmingham, Ala., also died on July 22. He was assigned to the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Colvin joined the Army on March 9, 2011, as a combat engineer, joining the 82nd Airborne Division in July 2011. This was Colvin's first deployment.

His awards included the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.