A Marion soldier serving in Afghanistan has died in action, his family confirmed Tuesday.

Staff Sgt. James David Bullard, 28, was serving with the Army National Guard 1st Battalion 263rd Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition) S.C. National Guard Unit B Company based in Dillon, his brother-in-law Harold Caldwell said.

A member of the military liaison came to the Bullard family's house Tuesday and let his wife, Amber, know he was killed by enemy fire in Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan, Caldwell said.
Bullard always wanted to be a soldier, Caldwell said. He was involved in the ROTC at Marion High School, where he graduated in 1997, and joined the guard at age 17.

"He loved what he was doing," Caldwell said. "He was a family person, a good-hearted guy, an all-around good guy. He was very much loved by everybody."

Bullard was sent to Afghanistan in January. It was his first tour of duty, Caldwell said.
Bullard not only leaves behind his wife of about a year, but also their 7-week-old son, Kristopher Hayden Bullard. Caldwell said Bullard received two weeks of leave for the birth of his son.

Bullard's family also includes his parents, Jeff and Karen Bullard of Marion, two sisters and their husbands, and his grandparents, all of whom live in Marion, Mullins and Florence, Caldwell said.

Bullard was a grocery manager for Food Lion in Dillon and attended Florence-Darlington Technical College. He and his family are members of Little Bethel Baptist Church in Mullins, Caldwell said.