A 23-year-old soldier from Stow, who was a West Point graduate, was killed along with another soldier in an incident in Afghanistan on May 2, a U.S. Army spokesman said Tuesday.
Second Lt. David E. Rylander, who was an engineer officer, was killed in the Logar Province of Afghanistan from wounds sustained when he was struck by an improvised explosive device used by insurgents who attacked their unit, said Lt. Col. Web Wright.
Rylander and Specialist Junot Mevs Legrand Cochilius, 34, of Charlotte, N.C., were assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., Wright said.
Wright said no other details about the incident are being released at this time.
Rylander joined the Army in May, 2011 after his graduation from West Point. He arrived at Fort Drum last November and he was deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January, Wright said.
Rylander won numerous decorations and awards including the Purple Heart, the NATO Medal, the National Service Defense Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutists Badge, Wright said.
While at West Point, Rylander completed small arms weapons and airborne courses.
Rylander is survived by his mother and father, Jacqueline and John Rylander of Stow, plus two brothers and a sister, Wright said.
His parents did not return calls Tuesday. Rylander was home schooled, according to a 2007 article in the Akron Beacon Journal.
A statement was issued by Congressman Steven LaTourette's office which read:
"My sympathies go out to 2nd Lt. Rylander, his family, friends, fellow soldiers and the community of Stow. This is a horrible loss, and we all grieve for a brave and wonderful young man who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country. May God bless him and may God bless the United States of America.
Stow Mayor Sara Drew ordered flags at half staff Tuesday after learning of his death.
Calling hours for Rylander will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Rd., Stow. A service for Rylander will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the Chapel in Akron off the Hamilton Ave. entrance. Burial will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.