21-year-old Pfc. Brian J. Backus died June 18, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
SAGINAW TOWNSHIP -- A soldier from Saginaw Township has died fighting in Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense announced Monday, 21-year-old Pfc. Brian J. Backus died June 18, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Pfc. Brian J. Backus died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Backus joined the Army in June 2010.
Following training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he arrived at Fort Drum in December 2010.
Backus deployed with his unit in March 2011 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Medical Badge.
Backus is survived by a child, mother, father and brother.
U.S. flags across Michigan are to be lowered to half staff Monday, June 27th in his honor.
