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



Sgt. 1st Class John D. Morton, 31, ofStanton, Ky., died in Shah
Wali Kot, Afghanistan on Dec. 15, when his dismounted patrol came under
attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Morton was assigned to the
74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance), 173rd Airborne Brigade,
Vicenza, Italy.