2 Soldiers killed in Afghanistan

XVIII Abn. Corps PAO

	Merriweather

The Department of Defense announced Friday the death of two Fort Bragg Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Daniel D. Merriweather and Pfc. Geoffrey A. Whitsitt, both assigned to the 118th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th MP Brigade, were killed in action Jan. 13. Merriweather and Whitsitt were conducting a joint patrol with Afghan national police when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Both died from wounds suffered following the explosion.

	Whitsitt

Merriweather was born May 27, 1984 in Memphis, Tenn. He joined the Army Aug. 28, 2002 and went to basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. where he graduated as a 31B — military policeman. Upon graduating from AIT, he was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he then deployed with his unit to Afghanistan from April 7, 2004 to April 7, 2005.
He was then assigned to the 118th MP Co. Fort Bragg where he also deployed to Iraq from June 24, 2006 to Sept. 15, 2007.

Merriweather deployed to Forward Operating Base Airborne, Afghanistan in May 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom IX. 

His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with V device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal- Campaign Star 2, Iraq Campaign Medal- Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal 2, NATO Medal 2, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Combat Action Badge, and the Driver Mechanic Badge.

Whitsitt was born Feb. 5, 1988, in Taylor, S.C. He joined the Army Feb. 12, 2008 and went to basic and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. where he graduated as a 31B — military policeman. Upon graduating from AIT, he attended and completed Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. and was later assigned to the 118th MP Co. at Fort Bragg.

Whitsitt deployed to FOB Airborne, Afghanistan in May 2009 in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom IX.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.