Subscribe

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — The death of a Germany-based combat medic this week in Afghanistan is under investigation, the Department of Defense said.

Spc. Keith D. Benson, 27, of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, died Wednesday in Paktika province, where his battalion was deployed as part of the 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade out of Grafenwöhr and Schweinfurt.

The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation, the DOD said.

Benson graduated high school in Norwood, Mass., in 2002 and appeared to have plans to become a paramedic after leaving the service, according to the Wicked Local Norwood news site. The DOD release said Benson was from nearby Brockton.

A statement signed by brigade commander Col. Edward Bohnemann and posted to the 172nd Facebook page called Benson “one of the most technically skilled combat medics within the brigade,” and said he showed courage while doing his job under fire.

The 172nd deployed to eastern Afghanistan in summer 2011 for a 12-month tour.

From staff reports

Sign Up for Daily Headlines

Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets from around the world.

Sign Up Now