JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings in all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis be flown at half-staff on Saturday to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Staff Sgt. Tyler Smith.
Smith, 24, of Licking, was a soldier in the U.S. Army serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He died on April 3 of wounds from an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
In addition to the flags statewide, Nixon ordered the U.S. and Missouri flags at all state buildings in Texas County be flown at half-staff from April 15 to April 20.
“Staff Sgt. Smith served our country with bravery and dedication, and I ask all Missourians to remember his sacrifice when they see the lowered flags,” Gov. Nixon said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they mourn for him.”
Smith was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
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State flags will honor fallen soldier from Licking
The funeral for Staff Sgt. Tyler Smith is on Saturday in Licking.
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His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar (2 awards).
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From KY3 News:
Funeral services for Smith are at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pentecostal Holiness Church in Licking.Visitation for the family is noon to 2 at the church. His body is scheduled to arrive at Vichy/Rolla airport on Friday morning at 10, and supporters of his family have asked people to line the route from Rolla to the funeral home in Summersville on Friday.
