FORT LEWIS, Wash. - The Department of Defense announced today the death

of a Fort Lewis Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Kyle J. Wright, 22, of Romeoville, Ill., died Jan. 13 at Kandahar

Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered earlier that day when

insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device in

Kandahar Province. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry

Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

According to unit records, Wright enlisted Aug. 28, 2006 at Chicago,

Ill. Following basic training and Advanced Individual Training in

Military Occupational Specialty 11B: Infantryman, he reported to Fort

Lewis, Wash. on January 3, 2007 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st

Infantry Regiment, The brigade deployed to Afghanistan in July, 2009.

This was his first deployment.

Wright's civilian and military education includes a high school diploma

(2006), the Military Occupational Specialty 11B: Infantryman (2006) and

Defense Language Institute, Arabic (2008).

His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National

Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantry

Badge.