The Winfield Daily Courier -- KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper died from injuries sustained during an ambush on a convoy of both Afghan National Army and International Security Assistance Forces providing security for the World Food Organization in Farah, Afghanistan. The convoy, including 14 contracted trucks carrying 500 metric tons, was targeted by roadside bombs and mortar fire on Saturday.

Sgt. Tyler A. Juden, 23, of Arkansas City, was an infantryman with 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Enemy forces attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire near Turan, Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Associated Press reported the convoy, including 14 contracted trucks carrying 500 metric tons of food rations, was targeted by roadside bombs and mortar fire.

Juden joined the Army in October 2005. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga., and immediately went on to graduate from the Basic Airborne School at Ft. Benning.

Upon completion of his training, Juden reported to the 82nd Abn. Div. and was assigned to the 4th Sqdn., 73rd Cav. Reg. as a infantryman. Juden served in the squadron’s sniper section during his first deployment to Afghanistan in 2007.

It was in the sniper section that his fellow soldiers noticed his commitment to excellence, said Staff Sgt. Aaron Fillmore, a fellow infantryman in C Troop who knew Juden.

“When I first started working with him, I noticed how he was one of the smartest guys I had ever met,” said Fillmore. “He was an excellent soldier; it just came natural to him.”

Juden was serving as the sniper section leader during his second deployment to Afghanistan, a position that afforded him the respect and admiration of his company said Capt. Michael Trujillo, Juden’s company commander.

“His professionalism and dedication to serving his country were unmatched,” Trujillo said. “Today we say goodbye to our fellow paratrooper and very quickly reassume our mission because that is exactly what he would want us to do. He will be missed and never forgotten.”

“Sgt. Juden was a man that everyone looked to when things were not going right or got hard,” added his first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Russell Bell. “He was a go-to guy when things needed special attention. Sgt. Juden was very respected and a great man.”

Juden’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge.

He is survived by his parents, Robert and Reatha Juden, and his sister, Jacey Juden.

A memorial service in Juden’s honor will be held in Afghanistan.