Army Pvt. Alan J. Austin

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pvt. Alan J. Austin, 21, of Houston

Pvt. Austin was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Aug. 12, 2007 near Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat-related accident.

3 Texas soldiers die in Afghanistan, Iraq

The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Three Texas soldiers have died overseas in recent days, the Defense Department said Monday.

Pvt. Alan J. Austin, 21, and Pfc. William L. Edwards, 23, were both from Houston, and Sgt. Charles B. Kitowski III, 31, was from the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, the military said.

Also killed with Kitowski were Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey D. Kettle, 31, of Madill, Okla., and Staff Sgt. Jesse G. Clowers Jr., 27, of Herndon, Va. They were both part of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.

“He was a fun-loving kid growing up,” said Joel Kettle, adding that his nephew grew up in Texas City, Texas. “It really surprised me and made me feel proud when he joined the Army and excelled.”

Austin died Sunday of injuries sustained in a non-combat accident in Afghanistan, the department said. Austin was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

His mother, Rhonda Austin, said her son loved cooking, dancing, parades and mariachi music, and was a devoted son and brother.

“Alan was a courageous man of God. My comfort lies in my faith and knowing that he is with God,” she said in a statement.

Army Pvt. Alan J. Austin was killed in the line of duty on 8/12/07.