Army Capt. Kyle A. Comfort

Died May 8, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

27, of Jacksonville, Ala.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died May 8 in Now Zad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

---

Benning Ranger killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — A member of a Fort Benning Ranger unit, killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, was a leader who died “doing what he loved,” his wife said.

Kyle A. Comfort, 27, of Jacksonville died May 8 in Helmand province of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit, the military said. An Army news release said the combat operation in which he was taking part uncovered a large IED factory.

“Kyle’s main purpose in life was to make a difference,” said his wife, Brooke Clopton Comfort, 28, of Jacksonville, “and he really felt like we were making a difference over there.”

Kyle Comfort was a fire support officer in Company D, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Fort Benning.

He graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2006 with a degree in criminal justice. He served as a fire support officer and platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, and the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, both with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

“He was a hero. He died for his country. He died doing what he loved,” his wife told The Anniston Star. “He was a wonderful man and a wonderful soldier.”

The couple married in October 2005. Survivors include their 6-month-old daughter, Kinleigh Ann.

“Kyle was a quiet professional who lived the Ranger Creed,” Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment, said through the Army’s press office.

Comfort’s father, the late Kenneth A. Comfort, retired from the Army as first sergeant.

“It was in his blood. He was born to be a soldier,” said Brooke Comfort.