Staff Sgt. Michael J. Garcia

This fallen Shreveport soldier, killed in Afghanistan, will not be be forgotten.

Staff Sgt. Michael J. Garcia, 27, of Shreveport, died on the Fourth of July 2011, in an explosion in Wardak province, Afghanistan.

Garcia, who also has served in Iraq, is survived by his father and sister, according to the Army.

Garcia was assigned to the 705th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company at Fort Polk, which deployed to Afghanistan to support the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment.

The Defense Department said he was killed by an improvised explosive device.

According to an Army-produced news story, Garcia was a seasoned explosive ordnance demolition technician, described by Sgt. 1st Class Matt Meadows as a "mentor who had a positive, jovial disposition."

Spc. Andrew Cancienne of Metairie, who is in Afghanistan, described Garcia as "a big man with a much bigger heart," who was "a great" technician and non-commissioned officer.

"But more importantly, he was one of my best friends," Cancienne said.

Garcia has earned a slew of medals and decorations, including a Bronze Star with a "V" for valor; three Purple Hearts, a NATO Medal, Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, an Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, and Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, a Combat Action Badge, a Senior EOD Badge, an EOD Badge and numerous other awards.