N.C. Army Ranger Dies in Afghanistan

Spc. George V. Libby, 23, died of injuries near Khowst on Thursday. His injuries were sustained during a non-combat-related incident. The military said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Libby was an automatic rifleman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. He had served an earlier deployment in Iraq.

Libby "was a good and loving person," his wife, Valorie Libby, said in a statement. She said her husband believed that as a soldier, he was fighting for freedom.

"We cannot pull out of the Middle East without becoming vulnerable. What happened on September 11 would only happen again only much, much worse," Valorie Libby said.

"George joined the Army because of September 11. He believed in this mission, and I believed in him," the statement continued.

Libby enlisted in the Army from Aberdeen in March 2005 and graduated from the Army Ranger training course in August 2005.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. His other decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Libby graduated from Pine Crest High School in Southern Pines and attended Sandhills Community College, also in Pinehurst.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother Nell E. Allen, Thomas M. Libby, Jr. and brother Ira Allen Libby, all of  Aberdeen.