FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Nov. 15, 2013) - Staff Sgt. Richard Lee Vazquez, 28, of Seguin, Texas, died Nov. 13, 2013, of wounds received from an improvised explosive device blast in Panjwai province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan. This was Vazquez' fifth deployment during his military career.

Vazquez joined the Army in August 2004, as an infantryman. He attended initial Infantry training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky., from July 2005 to Sep. 2009.

In Sept. 2009, Vazquez volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in December 2010, and was assigned to the 3rd Bn., 7th SFG (A) as a weapons sergeant.

He is survived by his parents, brother and sister.