Seaside Park Soldier Dies in Afghanistan

The Department of Defense says a 26-year-old soldier from New Jersey has died in Afghanistan.

Sergeant. John A. Lyons of Seaside Park died Wednesday in Ghazni Province from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

Lyons joined the military in February 2009 as a combat engineer. He had been assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, at Texas' Fort Hood, since June 2009.

Lyons, who received numerous awards and decorations, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December.