UPDATE: Two JBLM Soldiers Die From IED's Saturday in Afghanistan

Two soldiers assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord died from separate IED attacks over the weekend in Afghanistan.

They have been identified as Sgt. Robert J. Billings, 30, and Spc. Brittany B. Gordon, 24.

Billings, of Clarksville, VA, died Saturday, in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, JBLM.

According to unit records, Sgt. Billings entered the Army in January 2006 and reported to Fort Benning, GA, for Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training MOS 11B (Infantryman). Upon graduation from AIT he was assigned to Fort Carson, CO. He arrived at JBLM in June 2009 and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He deployed with 4th Stryker Brigade to Iraq from September 2009 – August 2010. Sgt. Billings was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in January 2011. He deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Stryker Brigade in December 2011. This was his second deployment.

Sgt. Billings’ civilian and military education includes High School Diploma (2001), Associates in Arts, Criminal Justice (2012), Field Sanitation Team Certification (2011), Unit Prevention Leader (2011), Airload Planner (2011), Warrior Leader Course (2010), Combatives Level 1 (2010), Combat Life Savers Course (2009), Force XXI Battle Command Brigade (2007), Military Occupational Specialty: 11B- Infantryman (2006).

His awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (two awards), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (two awards), NATO Medal, Certificate of Achievement, Combat Infantry Badge.

Spc. Brittany B. Gordon

According to the Department of Defense, Gordon, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Saturday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked her unit with an improvised explosive device.

She was assigned to JBLM's 572nd Military Intelligence Company, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

According to unit records, Spc. Gordon entered the Army in January 2010 and reported to Fort Jackson, SC, for Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Huachuca, AZ, in MOS 35F (Intelligence Analyst). She arrived at JBLM in August 2010 and was assigned to the 572nd Military Intelligence Company, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. She deployed to Afghanistan with her brigade in April 2012. This was her first deployment.

Spc. Gordon’s civilian and military education includes an Associates in Art, General Studies (2011) and Military Occupational Specialty 35F: Intelligence Analyst (2010).

Her awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal.