Browning, Charles R.

State: AZ

Units: 101st Airborne DivisionBattery B 2nd Battalion, 180th Field Artillery 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry

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SSG CHARLES R. BROWNING March 6, 1976 – June 1, 2007 Operation Enduring Freedom Charles Robert Browning was born on March 6, 1976 in Widby Island, Washington. His family moved to Arizona and he graduated in 1994 from Palo Verde High School in Tucson. He enlisted in the Active Army on 28 December 1995 and proudly served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell KY, Fort Drum NY and in Korea and Panama. After 6 years, he left Active Duty and immediately enlisted in Battery B 2nd Battalion, 180th Field Artillery of the Arizona Army National Guard on 1 September 2002. He was married to Lisa and had 2 step-daughters, Jessica and Briana. SSG Browning deployed with the 2-180th FA Security Force (SECFOR) to Kuwait/Qatar, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 13 October 2004 to 20 January 2006. After being home for only about 9 months, he volunteered to transfer to the 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry for a second deployment with a mobilization date of 3 January 2007. The battalion completed pre-mobilization training at Fort Bragg, NC and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2007. He was assigned as Team Leader for 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, of B Company and Provincial Reconstruction Team Mehtar Lam. SSG Charles R. Browning was killed in action on 1 June 2007 while serving as the tactical commander in the lead vehicle of a Quick Reaction Force responding to a reported Improvised Explosive Device (IED) site in the vicinity of Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan. His vehicle was hit by a second IED while responding to the initial one. He was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. SSG Browning’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Awd), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Awd), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Awd), NATO Medal, AZ Service Ribbon, AZ Reenlistment Ribbon, Expert Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Rifle M16 Expert Qualification Badge.