Hundreds Gather to Honor Fallen Iowa Soldier

--- The Defense Department says 25-year-old Sgt. James Skalberg Jr., who grew up in Emerson, died on Wednesday when his vehicle was hit by an IED, or improvised explosive device, in the Wardak province.

Tools

By Max Walker

Story Created: Jul 14, 2012 at 8:41 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2012 at 8:41 PM CDT

RED OAK, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of mourners gathered in a southwest Iowa town Saturday to honor a soldier who died while serving in Afghanistan.

Residents lined the streets with their hands on their hearts to thank Sgt. James Lyn "Jamie" Skalberg Jr., who was killed on June 27. The Des Moines Register reports that the 25-year-old died when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was driving.

Skalberg's brigade was deployed to Afghanistan in October 2011, and was scheduled to return home this month. He joined the U.S. Army in February 2007, and had previously served in Iraq.

Several hundred Patriot Guard Riders escorted Skalberg's casket through the city on Saturday. Skalberg is survived by his wife, Jessica Skalberg of Red Oak, and their 1-year-old son Carter.