Nov 11, 2009 2:51 pm US/Eastern
Plymouth Paratrooper Found Dead In Afghanistan
PLYMOUTH (WBZ) ―
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Benjamin Sherman in a photo from the facebook tribute page "Pray for Benjamin Sherman"
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A soldier from Plymouth reported missing in Afghanistan last week has been found dead.
According to a
Facebook page set up by family and friends, 21-year-old Army paratrooper Benjamin Sherman "went MIA on November 4th during a routine resupply mission in western Afghanistan."
The Associated Press reports NATO military divers found the body of one of two U.S. soldiers who went missing last week. Sherman and the second paratrooper were trying to recover airdropped supplies that fell into a river.
Local police have said the two were swept away by the river as they tried to recover the supplies.
Sherman's sister, Meredith Sherman Sturge, believes her brother jumped into the river to save a comrade. "I know that day he jumped into the river to try to save his comrade was not because he didn't just see another soldier in the water, he saw his brother. He didn't jump in because he was trained to, but because that's what his heart told him to do."
Sherman's wife remembers Benjamin as an "amazing guy" who loved sports and loud music. "He was very outgoing, he gave the world his all for everybody, absolutely everybody. He would stop what he was doing and go help somebody who was in need,"a tearful Patricia Sherman said Wednesday from their home near Fort Bragg, N.C., where she is expecting their first child in four months.
Patricia and Benjamin met at a birthday party when they were both 6-years old, then started dating in the eighth-grade after a mutual friend reintroduced them, Patricia Sherman said.
Benjamin's mother also spoke to reporters about her son on Wednesday. "He was raided under the American flag to be respectful, honorable and courteous. He was strong-willed and was never a quitter," said Denise Sherman. "Perhaps now you'll understand how he fit into the army so well."
Plans are still pending, but Patricia Sherman said a memorial service and burial will be held in Plymouth.
Afghan and international forces are still searching for the second soldier.
Both men were paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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