The Defense Department on Friday released the name of a 1st Infantry Division soldier who died in a rollover accident in Iraq.
Sgt. Joseph Stifter, 30, died Thursday at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq's Anbar province, according to the DoD announcement released Friday. Stifter died from wounds suffered when his armored Humvee was involved in a rollover. The incident is under investigation.
Stifter, of Glendale, California, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, which is part of the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
"Sgt. Stifter was an exceptional soldier and leader in our brigade," said Col. Miles Brown, commander of 2nd BCT, in a statement. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a member of the Dagger family."
Stifter, a field artillery cannon crewmember, joined the Army in May 2011. He arrived at Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 1st Infantry Division in January 2012. He deployed in October to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
His awards and decorations include three Army Commendation Medals and the Combat Action Badge.
Stifter is survived by his wife, daughter and parents.
Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.
