SSG Kyu H. Chay

[Christophe]

October 31, 2006

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

Staff Sgt. Kyu H. Chay, 34, of Fayetteville, N.C., died on Oct. 28 in the Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his combat patrol. Chay was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.


RIP Staff Sergeant

RELEASE NUMBER: 061101-01
DATE POSTED: NOVEMEBER 1, 2006

PRESS RELEASE: Army Special Operation Support Soldier dies in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Special Forces Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, November 1, 2006) — An Army Special Operations Support Soldier stationed here died Oct. 28, 2006 when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated near his Humvee in the Oruzgan province in southern Afghanistan while deployed in support of combat operations.

Staff Sgt. Kyu H. Chay, 34, was a cryptologic linguist assigned to the Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group here, where he served as a Special Operations Team-Alpha (SOT-A) assistant team leader until his death.

A native of South Korea, Chay was a resident of New York City. He enlisted in the Army Jan. 10, 2001, as a cryptologic linguist. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and advance individual training at the Presidio, Monterey, Calif., he was assigned to the 313th Military Intelligence Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, here, where he served as a team leader and squad leader.

He deployed with 3rd SFG(A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in August 2006.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Parachutist Badge.

Chay is survived by his wife Cathy, son Jason, and daughter Kelly.

-usasoc-