SFC Riley G. Stephens

28 September 2012, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of Tolar, Texas, Sergeant First Class Riley G. Stephens died 28 September 2012, of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire while his unit was conducting combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Stephens enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in January 1993. After completing his Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

SFC Stephens graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 2005 and was assigned as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served until his death.