FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WNCN/AP) – A 32-year-old soldier from Isle of Wight County died after being wounded in combat in Afghanistan on Tuesday, the Department of Defense announced.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Z. Beale, 32, of Carrollton, died after being wounded by enemy small arms fire during combat in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
Beale was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
According to the Associated Press, news of Beale’s death came the same day that a suicide bombing attack by the Taliban on an Afghan military base in eastern Maidan Wardak province killed at least 45 people and wounded as many as 70 others.
The Department of Defense says Beale graduated from Old Dominion University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Beale had more than seven years of service in the Army. The Department of Defense says he enlisted in 2011 and attended Basic Training at Fort Benning in Georgia.
This was Beale’s fourth tour overseas and his third tour in Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.
Beale’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3rd award), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantry Badge.
In addition to the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal, the Department of Defense says Beale was posthumously promoted to Sgt. 1st Class.
Beale is survived by his wife and two children.
