SAGINAW -- A Saginaw native, who gave up his life to serve his country, died in battle. Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould, 25, of Saginaw, died February 27 while fighting in Ghanzi province, Afghanistan. The Department of Defense says insurgents attacked Gould’s unit, using an improvised explosive device. 

Gould began his military service in March 2003, and arrived to Fort Knox, Kentucky  in October 2009.

The DOD reports this was Gould’s third deployment, having served a 12-month tour with the 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Infantry Division in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 as well as a 15-month tour with the 1^st Battalion, 125^th Infantry Regiment in Iraq from 2005 to 2006.  He is the first Soldier from Task Force Duke to be killed during this deployment.

His awards and decorations include:

• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal
• Overseas Service Ribbon
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal
• Army Commendation Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal for Mobilization
• Army Service Ribbon
• Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart (posthumously)

There will be a remembrance ceremony held at Fort Knox and a memorial service in Afghanistan in Gould’s honor.