Midlands soldier among two SC guardsmen killed in Afghanistan - WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, Weather

Midlands soldier among two SC guardsmen killed in Afghanistan

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Two wreaths placed at Batesburg-Leesville National Guard headquarters (Source: Jody Barr) Two wreaths placed at Batesburg-Leesville National Guard headquarters (Source: Jody Barr)

LEXINGTON, SC (WIS) - Two South Carolina Army National Guard soldiers were killed in combat October 1 in Afghanistan.

32-year-old Specialist Luther Rabon of Lexington and 48-year-old Staff Sergeant Willie Harley of Aiken were killed in Paktika province, Afghanistan, when the vehicle they were riding in was attacked by insurgents with an Improvised Explosive Device.

Major General Stanhope S. Spears, Adjutant General for South Carolina, said, "Specialist Rabon and Staff Sergeant Harley were serving their country with honor and pride. The South Carolina National Guard has lost two more members of our family. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends."

The mission of the 1221 Engineer Clearance Company is to clear roadways for military convoys. The unit is scheduled to return to South Carolina next summer. 

Rabon is survived by four young children and his parents.

Funeral services for Rabon and Harley have not been announced.

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