Henderson couple’s son dies on foot patrol in Afghanistan

A soldier whose parents live in Henderson was killed in combat operations this week in Afghanistan, a spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division said Thursday.

Spc. Matthew D. Huston, 24, of Athens, Ga. and Spc. Josiah D. Crumpler, 27, of Hillsborough, N.C., were killed Monday in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked their foot patrol with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, according to a Pentagon news release.

Huston is survived by his wife, Whitney Huston, and parents Philip and Ronda Huston, of Henderson, said Maj. Brian Fickel, of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C.

Calls to Huston's parents went unanswered Thursday. An Army official in Nevada said they have declined to be interviewed.

A news release from the 4th Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan said Huston and Crumpler were assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

The release quotes their squad leader, Sgt. Ryan Mahoney, saying, "Spc. Huston was every bit as committed by going above and beyond to step up and take on the role of a team leader. They were both great soldiers and people, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their family."

They were conducting a dismounted patrol when they were attacked in the western Afghanistan province of Badghis.

Huston enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in February 2007. After training at airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg. He was on his second tour of Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom after having first deployed for five months in December 2007. His second deployment began in August.

Huston's awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge; Basic Parachutist Badge; Army Good Conduct medal; National Defense Service medal; Afghanistan Campaign medal with campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Service medal; Army Service Ribbon; and the NATO medal.