U.S. Army Alaska officials said Pfc. Patrick A. Devoe II of Auburn, N.Y., was killed Sunday by a roadside bomb in Kandau Kalay. Patrick Devoe Sr. said he "had a great love for life."
He was hit while driving a vehicle on patrol, according to a release from the post.
The 27-year-old Devoe joined the Army in January 2008. He was assigned last July to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division at Fort Richardson.
Devoe's father said his son spent a few years as a contractor and studied culinary arts at a New York state university.
He is survived by a girlfriend and a 1-year-old daughter.
The brigade began deploying last month and is still moving resources to Afghanistan, according to Army spokesman Chuck Canterbury.
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