Two Georgia Guardsmen Killed in Afghanistan

Spc. Isaac Lee Johnson Jr., 24, of Columbus (left) and Sgt. Brock Henry Chavers Sr., 25, of Statesboro, died from injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.

By Tuquyen Mach
Published: July 09, 2009

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Defense officials say two Georgia soldiers were killed in action while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Tuesday.

According to the Department of Defense, Sgt. Brock Henry Chavers Sr., 25, of Statesboro, and Spc. Isaac Lee Johnson Jr., 24, of Columbus, died from injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED).

Chavers was assigned to Americus' Company D, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry, and Johnson to Rome's Troop A, 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) Squadron

"This past weekend, as hundreds of millions of Americans celebrated our nation's independence, our brave sons and daughters were halfway around the world still protecting that freedom. We learned today of the tragic loss of Georgia Guardsmen Sgt. Brock Chavers Sr. and Spc. Isaac Johnson Jr., yesterday in Afghanistan," said Governor Sonny Perdue in a statement.

"The deaths of Sgt. Brock Henry Chavers Sr. and Spc. Isaac Lee Johnson Jr. are a devastating loss for the nation, the state, the Georgia Guard and most of all, the families of these fine men," said Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant General.

"They gave their lives in defense of freedom. The entire Georgia National Guard family grieves with the Chavers and Johnson families at this tragic news," said Nesbitt.