Army Pfc. Barrett L. Austin, 20, died April 21 in Germany of injuries he suffered when his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on April 17, according to the Department of Defense.
Austin was assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
Austin grew up in Dacusville, South Carolina. According to Fox Carolina, Austin's wife and parents were at his bedside at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center when he succumbed to his injuries.
Austin's high school English teacher, Christie Dunson, told GreenvilleOnline.com that she kept in touch with her former student long after he graduated:
“I told him I was proud of him for serving our country and I prayed for his safety, and he said ‘Well, I’m just doing what I’m supposed to be doing as a soldier. This is my job.’ He was very humble. There was nothing boastful about it.”
