Special Forces soldier killed in Afghanistan identified as a Green Beret from Virginia

US Army Staff Sergeant Joshua "Zach" Beale was the sole victim killed during combat operations in Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Beale, 32, died from small arms fire. He was in Tirin Knot, the capital city of Urozgan province when he was shot according to ABC WSET.

This was Beale's third deployment to Afghanistan since joining the army. He had been part of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Force Group (SFG) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Colonel Nathan Prussian, commander of the 3rd SFG, spoke on the soldier's death:

"Joshua was a smart, talented and dedicated member of 3rd SFG (A) and the special operations community. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the fortunate opportunity to know him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family for this tragic loss."

Beale was raised in Carrollton, Virginia, He went to Old Dominion Univerisity in Norfolk in 2008. There he attained a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.

In 2011, he enlisted in the Army. Two years later, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course. He also graduated from the Army's Advances Leader Course and a Special Forces Sniper Course.

He racked up numerous awards for his service. Beale received the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Special Forces Tab, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Purple Heart.

He went on to posthumously win a Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal sergeant, and another Purple heart. He left to mourn his wife and two children.

The news follows the death of four Americans who were also killed in battle in the middle east. The soldiers died from a bomb blast in Manji, Syria last week.

Yesterday, the names of the deceased were released. They were Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer, 37, Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent, 35, and Defense Department civilian Scott A. Wirtz.

On Thursday, Army Ranger Sergeant Cameroon Meddock died from injuries suffered on January 13 during combat. Meddock is among the 14,000 troops fighting in Afghanistan.

On Monday, there was another attempt to kill more US soldiers. The Perpetrators used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. ISIS-affiliated Amaq News Agency said the attack was their doing.