1 Soldier killed, 1 still missing in Afghanistan

82nd Abn. Div. PAO

	Sherman

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The Department of Defense released the identities Wednesday of two Soldiers, one who died and one who went missing in Afghanistan Nov. 4.

Spc. Benjamin W. Sherman of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division died and Sgt. Brandon T. Islip went missing in western Afghanistan during a resupply mission. Sherman’s body was discovered by a military dive team.

Sherman joined the Army Aug. 8, 2006 as an indirect fire infantryman. He attended one station unit training at Fort Benning, Ga., and then completed the Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning. Sherman arrived at Fort Bragg, Dec. 26, 2006, and was assigned to the 4th BCT. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom one month after arriving at the unit and served in Afghanistan from Jan. 27, 2007 to April 15, 2008.

	Islip

Sherman earned a reputation at his unit for being a hard-working paratrooper said Sgt. 1st Class Joe Armenta, his platoon sergeant.

He was looking forward to his first-born child when he returned to America, Armenta said.
“The happiest I remember seeing him was when he told me his wife was pregnant. All he talked about was being there,” he said.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia.Islip is assigned to the 4th BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. According to the DoD, Islip is listed as duty status whereabouts unknown.

Afghan and coalition forces are continuing the search to find Islip.

“We continue to aggressively search for Sergeant Islip,” said Lt. Col. Guy Jones, operations officer, 4th BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. “The support from our coalition and Afghan partners has been remarkable. We also ask that the privacy of the Islip Family be respected during this difficult time. ”

Islip joined the Army as an indirect fire infantryman and attended Basic Airborne School in 2006. He served for 15 months in Afghanistan from January 2007 to April 2008.

“He is a focused individual and always the first to jump at accomplishing any task,” said Armenta. “More importantly, he always places the welfare of his Soldiers first. He is sorely missed in the platoon and we continue to keep him and his Family in our thoughts and prayers.”