Army identifies Army Ranger killed in Syria over Memorial Day weekend

U.S. military officials say a soldier from Georgia has been killed in a vehicle crash in Syria.

The Department of Defence on Saturday said 22-year-old Spc. Etienne J. Murphy died of injuries sustained in a “vehicle rollover related incident” in Al-Hasakah, Syria, on Friday. No details were given.

The statement said Murphy was from Loganville, Georgia, about 30 miles (48 kilometres) east of Atlanta.

Murphy was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield near the Georgia coast.

According to WCVB, Murphy was married and had two children.

“He was doing what he loved to do,” his grandmother, Aretha Murphy, told the station. “I loved that about him.”

Murphy was posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal. His previous commendations include the Parachutist Badge, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.

The incident remains under investigation.