FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died April 24 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Staff Sgt. Shaun J. Whitehead, 24, of Commerce, Ga., died in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he encountered an improvised explosive device while on a dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral, for which arrangements are pending.

Individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute by lowering flags to half-staff.

Flags are currently at half-staff in honor of Pfc. John T. Bishop and 1st Lt. Timothy W. Cunningham, who died April 23 in Golden Hills, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a vehicle incident. They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Flag status information is available at www.governor.ky.gov.

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