[Dan]

RELEASE NUMBER: 070518-01
DATE POSTED: MAY 18, 2007

PRESS RELEASE: Army Special Forces Soldier dies in Afghanistan
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 18, 2007) — An Army Special Forces Soldier stationed here died May 15 during a firefight near Qalat, Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Whitaker, 23, a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died from wounds sustained during the firefight.

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March, 2007.

A native of Long Beach, Calif., Whitaker enlisted in the Army Sept. 24, 2003 as a Special Forces candidate. After completing basic combat training, advanced individual training and airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. for Special Forces training. Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he earned the coveted Green Beret and was assigned to 7th SFG (A).

His awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

He is survived by his mother, Catherine Whitaker of Long Beach, Calif., his uncle, Robb Whitaker of Signal Hill, Calif. and his father, Frank Dougherty of El Monte, Calif. His aunt, Debra Whitaker and his cousins Rachel and Laura Whitaker, all from Signal Hill, Calif., also survive him.

--usasoc--