Special Forces Army Ranger Joel D. Clarkson, 23, was wounded March 12 by small-arms fire while his unit was on patrol in Helmland province. He was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Clarkson was operated on in Afghanistan, then flown to Germany for additional treatment. This was his third tour of duty out of Fort Lewis, according to a family member.
Gov. Sean Parnell, in a statement Friday evening confirming Clarkson's death, ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday. Clarkson is survived by his wife, Cassandra; 9-month-old son, Orion; and his parents, Karen and Steve Clarkson of Fairbanks.
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