4,486 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq; 2,346 U.S. soldiers died in Afghanistan and 1 million U.S. soldiers have been wounded.
Officials shared the name of the United States soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on Monday, January 1, 2018.
Sgt. 1st Class Mihai Golin, died while on patrol with fellow soldiers in Nangarhar province, a known area with terrorists.
Four fellow officers were also wounded during the patrol. Their names and conditions are still unknown.
Golin was born in Latvia and moved to the United States when he was just 20. He signed on to defend the U.S. upon arriving in the NY area. Sgt. Golin is survived by his ex-wife Katerina and their 6-year old daughter Vlada.
United States Senator Corey Booker of New Jersey released a statement about Golin's sacrifice for his country.
“Mihail Golin served our nation with courage and distinction, and his death is a loss that will be felt across New Jersey," said Booker. “Let us honor Sgt. Golin’s extraordinary courage by reflecting on his commitment to the nation he loved, and by recognizing the profound debt of gratitude we owe to him and to his family for their sacrifice. I extend my deepest condolences to Sgt. Golin’s family and friends during this very difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers injured in this tragic incident.”
