Crossville Green Beret killed in Afghanistan

A 28-year-old soldier from Crossville, Tenn., was killed Wednesday in the Parwan Province, Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Sgt. Daniel T. Lee, a Green Beret, died as the result of wounds received from hostile small arms fire. Lee was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, N.C., an airborne unit.

This was Lee's first deployment to Afghanistan. He had previously deployed to Iraq.

Lee enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in October 2007. He was first assigned to a cavalry regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash., and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009 as a scout. After his return, Lee volunteered for Special Forces Assessment and Selection, records show. Lee began his special forces training in March 2011 and earned his Green Beret designation in 2012.

The Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two stars and the Special Forces Tab are among Lee's awards and decorations.

Lee's body is expected to be returned to the U.S. at Dover Air Force Base sometime today. He is survived by his wife, child and parents.

The U.S. is scheduled to begin withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014, although talks have been ongoing on a plan that would allow some U.S. military personnel to remain in the country to train and advise Afghanistan's forces.

Eleven military service members from the Chattanooga region have died in Afghanistan since about mid-2009.

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