Two Illinois soldiers killed in action June 19

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SPRINGFIELD - Staff Sgt. Joshua Melton, 26, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry based in Marion, and Sgt. Paul Smith, 43, with Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry based in Aurora, were killed in action June 19 in Afghanistan. 

Melton, a resident of Germantown, graduated from Central Community High School in Breese in 2001. He enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard November in 2000. This was his second deployment.  His first deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom December 2004 to March 2006.

Smith, a resident of East Peoria, graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1984. He enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in April 1993. This was his third deployment. His first two deployments were in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom April 2003 to March 2004 and February 2005 to January 2006.

The two Soldiers were killed when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Two other Soldiers in the vehicle, also assigned with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry, were injured in the accident.

Both units deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and are providing force protection for Embedded Training Teams, Police Mentor Teams and Forward Operating Bases. The units arrived in theater October 2008.

Melton and Smith are the 13th and 14th casualties from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 33rd IBCT since their deployment to Afghanistan. No information on funeral arrangements has been determined at this time.

These are the 29th and 30th casualties the Illinois National Guard has suffered since operations in Afghanistan and Iraq began.