Updated 3:26 p.m.
A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier from Chicopee, Massachusetts, was killed in combat while serving in Afghanistan.
Master Sgt. Luis Deleon-Figueroa, 31, of Chicopee, was killed on August 21 during combat operations in Faryab Province, according to a press release from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Master Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, 35, of La Puente, California, was also killed during the operation.
They both died as a result of small arms fire in northern Faryab Province. Both were members of 7th Special Forces Group, based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
"Our priority is to now provide the best possible care to the families of our fallen warriors," Col. John Sannes, commander of the U.S. Army's 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), said in a statement. "We ask that you keep their families and teammates in your thoughts and prayers."
The principal of Chicopee High School said she and her staff have strong memories of Deleon-Figueroa.
Carol Kruser said he attended from 2002 to 2005.
"He was a tough kid, and so he really always had the goal of going into the military," she said. "And even though he struggled a little bit in his life, and a little bit academically, he kept hold of that goal."
Dianne Vecchiarelli said that while she's worked with thousands of students over her career, when she saw reports of a soldier's death in the media, she said, “I know this kid. I know this kid.”
Vecchiarelli said Deleon-Figueroa was focused on a career in the military when he attended Chicopee High School. She remembers his smile and describes him as a kind soul.
“I don't think that you will ever have someone say a negative about him, and that says a lot about him as a young man, and a young man of character,” she said.
Deleon-Figueroa left Chicopee High early in his senior year to get a GED. He served in the Army for more than 13 years. This was his sixth tour of duty, having previously served as an infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan before completing special forces training and serving as a Green Beret twice each in South America and Afghanistan.
Deleon-Figueroa earned several decorations during his career in the Army. He was posthumously promoted to master sergeant and awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Gonzalez joined 7th Group in 2014. He was posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant. His family requested that no photo or additional information be released.
This report includes information from WBUR and The Associated Press.