The Department of Defense says Sergeant Michael Kirspel, Jr., died Wednesday from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
The 23-year-old was on his third tour and was set to return home to Hopatcong in March.
Friends and family say serving in the Army was Kirspel's childhood dream.
Kirspel was a 2006 graduate of Hopatcong High School.
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