Aurora soldier killed in Afghanistan

• Reprints

Updated: February 10, 2012 8:48AM

An Aurora soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.

Spc. Christopher A. Patterson, 20, a 2009 graduate of West Aurora High School, was a member of the 713th Engineer Company of the Indiana National Guard, according to a statement from the guard’s Joint Forces Headquarters.

Indiana Adjutant General Martin Umbarger said Patterson and three other soldiers died Thursday morning in southern Afghanistan. He said all of the men were combat engineers who specialized in clearing major supply routes.

The blast occurred as their vehicle traveled along a road, scouting for signs of roadside bombs and other potential problems convoys might encounter as they move supplies, Umbarger said. Their vehicle struck a roadside bomb, sources said.

“Their mission is to keep the major supply routes clear of all obstacles for the convoys. And what that means is they’re the first ones to go out to make sure the route can be used, so it’s a very important mission — but it’s also extremely dangerous,” he told The Associated Press.

The three other soldiers killed were identified as Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt, 21, of Merrillville; Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr., 44, of Hamlet; and Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, 32, of Indianapolis.

According to the National Guard, Patterson was a student at Valparaiso University. His Facebook page said he was studying music education at the university.

The 713th Engineer Company is headquartered in Valparaiso.

His family could not be reached on Saturday. West Aurora School District administrators declined to comment on Patterson’s death, citing the family’s request for privacy.

Umbarger said the four soldiers’ families were informed Friday of the deaths, and the last family members were told the news Friday night. He said he’s “humbled and honored” by the courage of the nation’s service members and said the sacrifices of the four men won’t be forgotten.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of these brave citizen-soldiers,” he said. “We will honor their sacrifice and always remember them.”

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said that on Saturday morning he received the news a person in his position “dreads the most.”

“I had begun to hope that I had received the last such phone call, and cannot convey the sadness which it instantly brought,” Daniels said.