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Soldier From Windsor Killed In Afghanistan

FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) - Two Fort Carson soldiers from Colorado and Oregon have been killed in Afghanistan, the Defense Department said Tuesday.

The Pentagon said Sgt. Christopher J. Birdwell, 25, of Windsor, and Spc. Mabry J. Anders, 21, of Baker City, Ore., died Monday in Kabul from injuries they suffered from enemy small-arms fire.

The Defense Department didn't disclose circumstances of their deaths.

Sgt. Christopher J. Birdwell
Sgt. Christopher J. Birdwell (credit: Fort Carson)

Both were assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, part of Fort Carson's 4th Infantry Division.

Birdwell was on his third deployment, all to Afghanistan. Anders was on his first deployment.

Both were awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously.

Spc. Mabry J. Anders
Spc. Mabry J. Anders (credit: Fort Carson)

Birdwell is survived by his parents, a brother and two sisters, The Denver Post reported. He joined the Army in 2006 after graduating from Windsor High School.

"He could make anyone smile," his mother, Pam Birdwell, told the newspaper. "There was just something about him that made him able to bring a smile to anyone's face."

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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