Bethesda soldier dies in Afghanistan vehicle rollover
Paci, 30, enlisted in Army in 2004, was part of Operation Moshtarak in Helmand Province
A Bethesda soldier died in Afghanistan last week during his second overseas deployment, according to a statement from the Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma, Wash.
Spc. Anthony A. Paci, 30, died Thursday when the vehicle he was traveling in rolled over in Gereshk, located in the Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, according to the statement. He was living in Rockville when he enlisted in the military.
Paci grew up in Bethesda and is married with three young children in Washington, The Washington Post reported.
Paci attended Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda but withdrew in 1997, said Kate Harrison, a Montgomery County Public Schools spokeswoman. He earned a high school diploma in 1999, according to the statement.
An international coalition of 15,000 troops launched Operation Moshtarak last month in a region of the Helmand Province known for heroin production where the Taliban has set up a shadow government, according to media reports.
Paci enlisted in the Army in October 2004 and was deployed in Iraq from December 2005 through November 2006, according to the statement. His brigade left for Afghanistan in July.
His family did not return calls for comment.
Paci's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army National Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge and Expert Infantry Badge, according to the statement.
Six people who were living in Montgomery County when they enlisted in the military have been killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom as of Feb. 27, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Defense. Five people from Montgomery County have died in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as of Feb. 27.