20th CBRNE says goodbye to a fallen soldier

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Justin Ryan Helton, 52nd Ordnance Group, was killed in action from injuries received while conducting operations in Afghanistan June 9, 2014. The 20th CBRNE Command, Helton's family and friends are grieving over the loss of an American warrior who unselfishly served his country in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Army photo/Released)  

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, UNITED STATES

06.16.2014

Story by Bethani Crouch 

20th CBRNE Command

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (June 16, 2014) - The 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) Command says goodbye to one of its fallen soldiers killed in action while in support of Operation Enduring Freedom June 9 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Justin Ryan Helton, 52nd Ordnance Group, was killed in action in Afghanistan from injuries received while conducting operations in Arghandab District, Zabul Province. The officers, NCOs and soldiers of the 20th CBRNE, Helton's family and friends are grieving over the loss of one of their American warriors who unselfishly served his country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Helton was from Beaver, Ohio, where he enlisted into the United States Army May 24, 2010 and was first stationed at Fort Jackson, SC for basic combat training. After completing his initial training, Helton was assigned to Redstone Arsenal, Ala. for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Training Phase I, and later moved on to the Naval School EOD at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He completed his Naval School EOD training Aug. 2011 and was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC. At Fort Bragg, Helton was assigned to the 18th Ordnance Company under the 192nd Ordnance Battalion, and remained on assignment until his deployment in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan April 2014.

Helton's awards include the Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Combat Action Badge and the Purple Heart.

Helton is survived by his parents, Wendell and Sandra Helton, and his fiancée, Lauren Kelly.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2014
• Date Posted: 06.16.2014 15:04
• Story ID: 133256
• Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, US
• Hometown: BEAVER, OH, US