By KRWG News
New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson ordered flags across New Mexico to be flown at half-staff on Friday and Saturday in honor of Army Sgt. Kenneth W. Westbrook of Shiprock, who died Oct. 7 as a result of injuries sustained last month in the line of duty.
Westbrook, 41, joined the Army soon after graduating from high school in 1987. Over the last 21 years, he served in Operation Desert Storm and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
Westbrook was wounded Sept. 8 when insurgents attacked his unit in the Ganjigal Valley in Afghanistan.
His brother, Army Sgt. Marshall A. Westbrook, was the first New Mexico National Guard soldier killed during combat in Iraq.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.