Army Sgt. David J. Drakulich

Died January 9, 2008 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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22, of Reno, Nev.; assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Jan. 9 in Chagali, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

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Fort Bragg soldier killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A North Carolina-based soldier has died from injuries he suffered when a mine detonated while he was on patrol in Afghanistan, the 82nd Airborne Division said Friday.

Sgt. David J. Drakulich, 22, of Reno, Nev., died Wednesday after the explosion near Chagali, Afghanistan. Army officials said he was a fire support specialist with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team in the 82nd Airborne Division, which is based at Fort Bragg.

“Sergeant Drakulich was a truly loyal, dedicated hard working trooper, who always seemed to humor us in every situation,” said Sgt. 1st. Class Christopher Hieb, Drakulich’s noncommissioned officer in charge.

“We will always remember him for the funny situations he found himself in, never leaving us with a dull moment, but a good laugh instead.”

Drakulich joined the Army in January 2004, and he completed basic and advanced fire support specialist training at Fort Sill, Okla. in June 2004. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in August 2006.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Drakulich is survived by his parents Joseph and Antoinette Drakulich of Reno, Nev