2 Soldiers killed in Afghanistan

82nd Abn. Div. PAO

	Nolen

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Two, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers were killed in action Nov. 22 as the result of an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.

Sgt. James Nolen and Pfc. Marcus Tynes of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. died when their vehicle struck an IED while conducting a convoy in Kandahar province.

Nolen, 25, of Alvin, Texas, enlisted in the Army in February 2005 as an infantryman. He attended One Station Unit Training and Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of OSUT and Airborne School, Nolen reported to Fort Bragg, in September 2005.

	Tynes

He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Bn., 508th PIR, where he served as a rifleman and completed a 15-month deployment with the unit to Afghanistan in 2007. Nolen was currently serving in his second deployment to Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife, Rachel Anne Nolen, his stepson, William Flathman, his father, Walter Nolen, and his mother, Kimberly Roberts.
“Sergeant Nolen was a true Soldier. Nothing could take away from his warm personality. His caring smile and willingness to help others was his most identifiable features,” said Nolen’s fellow paratroopers from Co. C.

Nolen’s awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Basic Parachutist badge.

Tynes, 19, of Moreno Valley, Calif., enlisted in the Army in July 2008 as an infantryman. He attended OSUT and Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, reporting to Fort Bragg in January. He was subsequently assigned to Co. C, 2nd Bn., 508th PIR, as a rifleman. Tynes was serving in his first deployment to Afghanistan.

“Marcus was what a Soldier in the Army should be,” said his fellow paratroopers of 2nd Platoon, Co. C. “His motivation and determination in everything he did and said made the people standing around him proud to be serving.”

Tynes awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Basic Parachutist Badge, He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Dana and Bruce Atlas, and his stepbrother, Johanas Atlas.

A memorial in their honor will be held in Afghanistan.