Fort Bragg paratrooper, 20, dies in Afghanistan

An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper died in western Afghanistan on June 24, Fort Bragg officials announced Tuesday.

Pfc. Robert Repkie, 20, from Knoxville, Tenn., died of non-combat related injuries while serving as a cook in western Afghanistan.

He joined the Army on Aug. 19, 2008, and entered basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Upon completion of basic training, he attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Va.

He arrived at Fort Bragg on March 21, 2009, where he joined the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion and deployed to Afghanistan with the unit Aug. 22, 2009.

Repkie’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal.

He is survived by his father, Russell Repkie, and his mother, Linda Haney.