Portland, Oregon Soldier Dies in Afghanistan

27-year old Long N. Nguyen went to Afghanistan with the Oregon National Guard's 41st Combat Brigade Team in the summer of 2006.

Mazur-e-Sharif was the location of the first American casualty in Afghanistan Photo by: Tim King

(WASHINGTON) - The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Long N. Nguyen, 27, of Portland, Oregon, died Feb. 10th in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related wound.

Sgt. Nguyen deployed with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The 41st IBCT is based out of Tigard, Ore. and deployed to Afghanistan last summer to lead Joint Task Force Phoenix. The unit is responsible for assisting the development of the Afghan National Army.

The U.S. Army and the Department of Defense say that the incident is under investigation.

Around 900 members of the Oregon National Guard are currently deployed in Afghanistan with the 41st Combat Brigade Team.