101st Airborne soldier from Ste. Genevieve, Mo., dies in Afghanistan

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- A soldier assigned to the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell has died after an explosion in Afghanistan.

The Army said 25-year-old Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., died Friday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Beckerman arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2010 and was assigned to 2nd Brigade Support Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

Beckerman joined the Army in September 2004. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.