US Army paratrooper killed fighting ISIS in Iraq is identified

U.S. Army paratrooper Weston C. Lee was killed in Iraq on April 29.

A decorated U.S. Army paratrooper killed while fighting ISIS last week in Iraq has been identified by the Pentagon.

1st Lieutenant Weston C. Lee was killed after an improvised explosive device detonated during a patrol outside of Mosul on Saturday. He was the third Army soldier killed battling ISIS last week after two other soldiers died during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan.

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The 25-year-old Lee, from Bluffton, Georgia, was an infantry officer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

“1st Lieutenant Wes Lee was an extraordinary young man and officer. He was exactly the type of leader that our Paratroopers deserve,” Colonel Pat Work, the commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, said in a statement. “Our sincere condolences and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Lee joined the Army in March 2015. After completing the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course he was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division as a platoon leader. His first deployment was to Iraq in December 2016.

Lee was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He had also received a series of other awards and decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.