Two New York Army National Guard soldiers killed in Afghanistan

June 30, 2008 in War News

LATHAM – Two New York Army National Guard Soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Sunday.

Sergeant First Class Joseph McKay, 51, of Cambria Heights, Queens; and Specialist Mark Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie; were killed shortly after 1 p.m. Afghan time.

Their humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device, small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, while operating near Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar Province in eastern Afghanistan.

Both men were members of B Troop 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition) which is based in Jamestown, Chautauqua County. Their unit was assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command- East, (ARSIC-EAST) which is responsible for training the Afghan National Army in eastern Afghanistan.

A third Soldier, belonging to the Minnesota Army National Guard, Sergeant First Class Matthew Hilton, aged 37, of Livonia, Minnesota, was also killed in the attack.