Airborne soldier killed in Afghanistan

Sgt. Eric Colby Newman, 30, of Waynesboro, Miss., died in Akatzai Kalay, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps based at Fort Bragg.

Officers said that Colby was chosen to serve in his squadron tactical command post because of his professionalism.

"Sgt. Newman was the consummate professional in the execution of his duties, always striving to be a better noncommissioned officer and soldier," his squadron commander Lt. Col. James Gaylord said in a statement.

Other squadron members recalled Newman's positive attitude as an inspiration to his soldiers and all the people he touched.

Newman enlisted in the Army in 2006. He arrived at the 525th BfSB in February 2007, where he was assigned to the Headquarters Company as an assistant operations sergeant. Following a deployment to Iraq, Newman was one of the first soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment in January 2009.

Newman’s awards, decorations, campaign and service medals include the Bronze Star Medal Posthumous, Purple Heart Posthumous, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge Posthumous and Parachute Badge.

Memorial and funeral arrangements for Newman have yet to be determined.