Watch CBS News

Decorated Texas Soldier Dies In Combat Operations In Afghanistan

FORT BRAGG (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — U.S. military officials say a decorated Special Forces company sergeant major has died during combat operations in Afghanistan.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said in a statement Sunday that 40-year-old James G. "Ryan" Sartor was killed Saturday during combat operations in Faryab Province.

james sartor
Sgt. Maj. James G. "Ryan" Sartor (courtesy: Department of Defense)

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) said Sartor was from Teague, Texas, and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group in Fort Carson, Colorado.

He joined the Army 18 years ago in 2001 as an infantryman and had deployed numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan. He had received dozens of awards and decorations and will posthumously receive a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

A DOD statement said Sartor was injured by enemy small arms fire.

The incident is currently under investigation.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.