Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Benning, Ga. Their remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base, Del. on Sunday.
Family and friends say the 21-year-old Kubik was a smart, charismatic person who always played against expectations. An avid fisherman, he was a 2006 graduate of Manasquan High School and a member of the school wrestling team.
An Army Ranger, Kubik enlisted in March 2007 and served previous tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was an assistant machine gunner and rifle team leader.
Kubik, who was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, is survived by his parents and a sister.
