Wis. Soldier Dies While Fighting In Afghanistan

FRIENDSHIP, Wis. (WCCO) – The U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday that a soldier from Wisconsin has died while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Department of Defense identified the soldier as 19-year-old Ryan J. Larson of Friendship, Wis., which is near Wisconsin Dells.

He died Wednesday in Kandahar, Afghanistan as a result of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an explosive device.

He had been assigned to the 1st Battallion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team and 25th Infantry Division in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.