Soldier from Houston killed in Afghanistan

HOUSTON The Department of Defense announced Wednesday Spc. Matthew R. Catlett, 23, of Houston, was one of four soldiers who died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device on June 7 in Konar, Afghanistan.

The four soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The other three soldiers killed were: Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala, 23, of Yigo, Guam; Spc. Charles S. Jirtle, 29, of Lawton, Oklahoma; and Spc. Blaine E. Redding, 22, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska.