ASHEBORO, NC, USA U.S. Army PFC, HHC, 422D CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION, GREENSBORO, NC ROLE 3 KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN 10/02/2009
Army Private First Class Alan H. Newton Jr. died Oct. 2 in Murcheh, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when he was attacked by a suicide bomber. Newton was a civil affairs specialist with five years of military experience.
The News & Record of Greensboro reported that Newton was a 2002 graduate of Southwestern Randolph High School in Asheboro, where he was a member of the football team and JROTC. Wayne Thrift, Newton’s former high school principal, said he did not know Newton well, but he knew that his classmates and teachers liked him very much. He said Newton’s death evokes mixed emotions.
“Of course, I’m greatly saddened to hear about what happened to him. My heart goes out to his family and to his friends,” Thrift said. “But I’m proud of the fact that he did pursue the military as a career and that he fought for our freedom.”
Newton is survived by his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Riley, and his mother, Joyce Woodell, all of North Carolina.
His military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze “M” Device, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. Posthumous awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.