On August 13, 2014 The Department of Defense announced the death of yet another soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Operation Enduring Freedom” (OEF) is the official name used by the U.S. government for the War in Afghanistan, together with a number of smaller military actions, under the umbrella of the Global “War on Terror” (GWOT).
The release read as follows:
“Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston, 35, of Houston, Texas, died Aug. 12, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire.
Hairston was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. (Where he served as a Platoon Sgt).
For more information related to this release, the media may contact 82nd Airborne Division public affairs by telephone at 910-907-1946 or 910-587-0278.”
Source: http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=16884
Hairston was killed in Ghazni – Ghazni is a city in central-east Afghanistan. The population is about 141,000 people. It is the capital of Ghazni Province.
It is an area heavily infested with Taliban fighters and al-Qaeda militants who use the area as a base of operations to launch attacks against coalition forces.
The city of Ghazni serves as the provincial capital. It lies on the important Kabul–Kandahar Highway, and has historically functioned as an important trade center. As such it is also a smuggling route for drugs and weapons.
“Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Hairston was an exceptional noncommissioned officer and a valued member of our team,” said Lt. Col. Chris Hockenberry, Hairston’s battalion commander. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. We will never forget him.”
Note: According to his service record Hairston had received a long list of awards and decorations from the Army, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Hairston joined the Army just three years after completing college at the University of Houston. He wore number 34, playing defensive lineman from 1997 to 2000.
On Cougar sports blogs, fans remembered Hairston as a hero on the battlefield and the football field.
Hairston was a highly-decorated soldier. He received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and several others.
Hairston is survived by his wife, Staff Sgt. Tawana Hairston, and his son, Hayden.
Source: http://www.click2houston.com/news/houston-paratrooper-dies-in-afghanistan/27457250
1st Sgt Hairston joined the Army in 2003, following in the footsteps of his dad and one of his brothers, and re-enlisted about three years ago nwfloridadailynews.com of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., reported. He originally was from the Fort Walton Beach area.