Covington County soldier dies of illness contracted in Afghanistan

A Covington County soldier serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan died Wednesday as a result of an illness.

Sgt. Robert D. Gordon II, 22, of River Falls, died at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. According to the Department of Defense, Gordon became ill on Sept. 11 in southern Afghanistan. Gordon served in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Wash.

The Army continues to investigate the incident.

Gordon’s aunt, Ruby Brown, said the family was informed that Gordon was bitten by a tick and became sick afterward. Brown said the Army had requested that Gordon’s body be donated for research, but the family only agreed to the donation of his vital organs.

Brown said the family still has many questions about Gordon’s death, and wants the Army to work to ensure more deaths like Gordon’s are prevented.