Late Sgt. Maj. James 'Ryan' Sartor from Fort Carson Honored by Commander

Military colleagues honored Sgt. Maj. James ‘Ryan’ Sartor, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan.

Sartor, from Fort Carson, served in the military for nearly 20 years and was in the middle of his second deployment to Afghanistan at the time of his death, as reported by KKTV 11.

During his 18-year career, Sartor earned numerous awards and decorations, including a Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

In a statement, Col. Brian Rauen, commander of 10th SFG (A), expressed his deep sorrow over their loss of Sartor, who left behind his wife and three children.

"We’re incredibly saddened. Ryan was a beloved warrior who epitomized the quiet professionals. He led his soldiers from the front, and his presence will be terribly missed," he said.

EXACT CAUSE OF DEATH

According to the Department of Defense, Sartor died “as a result of injuries sustained from enemy small-arms fire during combat operations.” The incident that led to his death is still under investigation.

Sartor, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, will be posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

During his 18-year career, Sartor earned numerous awards and decorations, including a Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

He joined the military in June 2001 when he was nearly 23 years old. A year later, he was deployed to Iraq as an infantryman. He soon became a member of the Special Forces and was deployed to Iraq as a Green Beret four more times. He had seven career deployments.

LIVES LOST IN THE BATTLEFIELD

Sartor’s death came just six months after a fellow Special Forces soldier was also killed in Afghanistan.

US Army Staff Sergeant Joshua "Zach" Beale, also a green beret, was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan. He was 32.

Beale was in Tirin Knot, the capital city of Urozgan province when he was shot.

This was his 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, honored Beale in a statement: "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."