Fort Bragg soldier dies in Afghanistan

The military said Thursday that a Fort Bragg Soldier with the 44th Medical Command died in Afghanistan Dec. 29.

Staff Sgt. Ronald Jay Spino, 45, from Waterbury, Connecticut was assigned to the 274th Forward Surgical Team (Airborne) as a licensed practical nurse.

Officials said Spino was shot while unloading medical supplies in Bala Morghab, village in Badghis Province in northwestern Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.

"Staff Sergeant Spino was a hardworking, diligent airborne combat medic,” said Col. Scott Putzier, chief of staff, 44th Medical Command. “For those who knew and worked with him, we will remember him as a dedication non-commissioned officer. He was quiet, so when he spoke, everyone listened and were often caught off guard by his sense of humor … he was really funny.”

Spino deployed with his unit to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February, and was re-missioned to Afghanistan in November.