US-based soldier dies in Afghanistan
Apr 20, 2011
A Ugandan-born soldier serving in the US army was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday after insurgents attacked his unit, according to a statement from the US department of Defense.
By TADDEO BWAMBALE
and AGENCIES
A Ugandan-born soldier serving in the US army was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday after insurgents attacked his unit, according to a statement from the US department of Defense.
Spc. Paul J. Atim, 27, was one of three soldiers killed in Nimroz province, when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
The other soldiers killed were spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, of Beeville, Texas and pfc. Joel A. Ramirez, 22, of Waxahachie, Texas.
They were members of the 32nd Infantry based in Fort Drum, New York.
Atim was born and raised in Uganda. He moved to the US in 2005 on a scholarship by Compassion International, a US-based charitable organisation, which provides for children living in extreme poverty. They took care of him since he was 8 years old.
Atim attended the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay but dropped out after two semesters and joined the army in November 2006.
He spent one year in Afghanistan between April 2009 and April 2010 and had just been redeployed to the area.
Atim is survived by his mother and his six-year-old son.
He won several awards and decorations for distinguished service, including two army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
and AGENCIES
A Ugandan-born soldier serving in the US army was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday after insurgents attacked his unit, according to a statement from the US department of Defense.
Spc. Paul J. Atim, 27, was one of three soldiers killed in Nimroz province, when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
The other soldiers killed were spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, of Beeville, Texas and pfc. Joel A. Ramirez, 22, of Waxahachie, Texas.
They were members of the 32nd Infantry based in Fort Drum, New York.
Atim was born and raised in Uganda. He moved to the US in 2005 on a scholarship by Compassion International, a US-based charitable organisation, which provides for children living in extreme poverty. They took care of him since he was 8 years old.
Atim attended the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay but dropped out after two semesters and joined the army in November 2006.
He spent one year in Afghanistan between April 2009 and April 2010 and had just been redeployed to the area.
Atim is survived by his mother and his six-year-old son.
He won several awards and decorations for distinguished service, including two army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.