A soldier from the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment was killed by small-arms fire Sunday in Afghanistan, according to a Department of Defense news release issued Thursday.

Pfc. Nicholas S. Cook, who was posthumously promoted, was a member of 3rd Platoon, Company B, according to information supplied by U.S. Army Europe. His assignment with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team was his first since completing basic training and airborne school.

Cook, 19, died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit in Kunar province, according to the DOD release. Cook’s platoon has conducted numerous patrols in several districts around Combat Outpost Monti, according to USAREUR.

Kunar, where 2-503 is based, is on the border with Pakistan in the northeast part of Afghanistan. Other elements of the brigade are stationed separately to the southwest.

Cook’s hometown was listed as Hungry Horse, Mont. A complete list of his survivors was not available at press time.

Memorial services are pending in Vicenza and Montana.

Cook is the second soldier from the Vicenza, Italy-based battalion to die in the country since the unit deployed in December. Sgt. Lucas T. Beachnaw, also a member of “The Rock,” died Jan. 13.

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