Tyler Smith

Staff Sgt. Tyler J. Smith, age 24, of Licking, Missouri, died on April 3, 2012, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. 

Tyler Smith was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

Tyler was a graduate of Licking High School. He joined the Army in May of 2006 and joined his battalion at Fort Bragg in October of 2009. In addition to his two tours of duty in Afghanistan, he previously deployed to Iraq for 15 months in June of 2007. 

Father, place Tyler on the
stairway to Heaven

Military officials describe Tyler as a hard-working, trustworthy and well-respected soldier who will be sorely missed. 

Tyler's awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge and Parachutist Badge. 

Tyler is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his father and mother, Dan and Jeannie Smith; his wife, Lara, and two children Wyatt, age 5 and Carson, age 2.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Tyler Smith is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.