R.I.P. Pfc. Benjamin J. Park

Army Pfc. Benjamin J. Park
Died June 18, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

25, of Fairfax Station, Va.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died June 18 at Zhari district, Kandahar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

(The following was taken from www.fairfaxtimes.com of June 23, 2010) A U.S. Army infantryman from Fairfax Station was killed Friday in Afghanistan -- three days shy of his 26th birthday -- by insurgents who attacked his infantry regiment with a roadside bomb, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

Pfc. Benjamin J. Park, 25, of the 8000 block of Chippenham Court in Fairfax Station, died when his dismounted patrol encountered an improvised explosive device in the Zhari District, Kandahar, Afghanistan, the Pentagon has confirmed.

"Roadside bombs are commonly placed along Afghan roadways by insurgents," Army spokesman George Wright said.

A family member told Fairfax County Times that Monday would have been Park's 26th birthday and that his mother was taking the news especially hard.

Park was an infantryman assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

He joined the Army in August 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January, according to Fort Campbell officials.

His awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Park is survived by his mother, In Sook Park, father, Do Hyun Park, and sister Irene Park, all of Fairfax Station.