Army Pfc. Kyle M. Holder

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pfc. Kyle M. Holder, 18, of Conroe, Texas

Pfc Holder was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance and Surveillance), 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Nov. 17, 2010 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident.

An 18-year-old soldier from Conroe has died in Afghanistan, Department of Defense officials announced on Thursday. Army Pfc. Kyle M. Holder died Wednesday at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident, officials said.

He is the 12th local service member to die in Afghanistan so far this year, and the youngest casualty from the Houston area since the Afghan war began nearly a decade ago, according to Houston Chronicle records.

Holder served in Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.

"Our squadron mourns the loss of one of our young troopers, Pfc. Kyle Holder," his squadron's commander, Lt. Col. James Gaylord, said in a written statement. "Pfc. Holder volunteered to serve our nation and his presence will be missed. Our hearts go out to his entire family."

Holder's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal Posthumous, Army Good Conduct Medal Posthumous, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal Posthumous, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal Posthumous.

Among those Pfc. Holder leaves behind are his sister Stefanie, and his mother Michelle and father Bryant in The Woodlands, Texas.

Funeral arrangements are pending. The cause of Holder's death is under investigation, Army officials said.

Army Pfc. Kyle M. Holder was killed in a non-combat related incident on 11/17/10.