Napa County Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

AMERICAN CANYON (CBS SF) - U.S. Army Spc. Garrett A. Fant, 21, of American Canyon, was killed Monday by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.

Fant was on patrol in southern Afghanistan when the explosive device detonated.

He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat team, 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas.

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Smith, with the 1st Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office, said other soldiers were present when Fant was killed.

Fant joined the Army on March 27, 2009, as an indirect fire infantryman, Smith said. His first deployment was to Afghanistan in February and he was scheduled to leave in late February 2012, Smith said.

Fant received a test-based diploma after three years of high school. He trained at Fort Benning, Ga. He was single and had no children, Smith said.

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