R.I.P. Soldiers!

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died July 23 in Sarobi District, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Killed were:

1st Sgt. Michael S. Curry Jr., 37, of Dania Beach, Fla.

Sgt. Travon T. Johnson, 29, of Palmdale, Calif.

Pfc. Adam J. Davis, 19, of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Pfc. Jessy S. Rogers, 20, of Copper Center, Alaska.

An Army paratrooper who grew up in Hollywood and Dania Beach was one of four soldiers killed recently in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb exploded, the paratrooper’s family said.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael S. Curry, 37, had spent the last 20 years of his life in the Army, and for most of that time he had been assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade at Caserma Ederle, in Vicenza, Italy. It’s also where he met his wife and had two sons, one of whom turned 12 today. The other is 9.

“He was a wonderful husband, father and son,” said Curry’s sister, Niki Martin, 35. “He was so wonderful, like something that is too good to be true.”

But it was true, relatives said Tuesday, as they mourned and discussed plans for a local memorial service. Curry will be buried in Italy next week, relatives said.

The U.S. Department of Defense would not confirm Tuesday that Curry was killed in the explosion, which happened Monday. A spokesman said it’s the department’s policy to wait 24 hours after a serviceman’s relatives have been notified of the death before releasing his identity.

Curry’s relatives in Dania Beach said they learned of the tragedy early Tuesday, in a transatlantic phone call from Curry’s wife.

It was the second time Curry had been ordered to the Middle East region. He left for Afghanistan in March.

His loved ones were proud but they were also worried.

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