Army Sgt. Matthew R. Hennigan

Died June 30, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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20, of Las Vegas; assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany; died June 30 at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained earlier in Tangi Valley, Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his unit with machine gun fire.

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Emotional return home for Nev. soldier

The Associated Press

HENDERSON, Nev. — Family members and an Army honor guard bore the body of a soldier home to Las Vegas for burial following his death in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Matthew R. Hennigan, 20, will be remembered July 10 during a public viewing and July 11 during a funeral at Palm Mortuary.

His father, Joseph Hennigan of Barrington, Ill., was at Henderson Executive Airport on July 8 for the solemn return.

He said his son joined the Army at 17 and was proud to be in the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, out of Bamberg, Germany.

Hennigan was a 2007 Silverado High School graduate. He died June 30 from wounds suffered during fighting in Tangi Valley.

He has been recommended for the Bronze Star medal for heroism, and was promoted posthumously to sergeant.