kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen3 Fort Hood Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

FORT HOOD (KCEN)- The Department of Defense announced Thursday the death of three Fort Hood soldiers who were killed in Paktia, Afghanistan from an improvised explosive device.

SGT Noah M. Korte, 29, SPC Kurt W. Kern, 24, and PFC Justin M. Whitmire, 20, died Dec. 27 of injuries suffered from the detonation of an improvised explosive device.

Korte of Lake Elsinore, Calif. joined the military in May 2003 as military police and was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011.

Korte deployed to Afghanistan in December 2011. He had also served overseas in Iraq from September 2007 to December 2008, from March 2005 to February 2006 and from January 2004 to April 2004.

Korte's awards and decorations include four Army Commendation Medals, two Good Conduct Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medals with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, Driver and Mechanic Badge with operator and Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicles.

Kern of McAllen, Texas joined the military in September 2009 as military police and was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011.

Kern deployed to Afghanistan in December 2011.

Kern's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Whitmire of Easley, S.C., joined the military in September 2010 as a health care specialist and was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011.

Whitmire deployed to Afghanistan in July 2011.

Whitmire's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.