Afghan war claims Albuquerque soldier

WASHINGTON (KRQE) - An Albuquerque soldier has died in Afghanistan after an improvised explosive hit his vehicle, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Pvt. Charles High IV, 21, died Tuesday during operations in Kunar province. A second soldier, Pfc. Benjamen Chisholm, 24, of Fort Worth, Texas, also was killed.

Both were based a Fort Campbell, Ken., and assigned to 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

The DOD reported the blast caused the military vehicle carrying the men to roll over.

An Albuquerque Public Schools spokesman said High attended Albuquerque schools from kindergarten through 10th grade before spending a semester at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. He then returned to Eldorado High School but left in Nov. 2006 during his junior year.