A soldier from Humphreys, Missouri has been killed in action in Afghanistan.

According to an announcement from the Defense Department, Private Jonathon Michael Dean Hostetter, 20, was among two soldiers killed August 23 in Haft Asiab in Ghazni Province. Officials say they died from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device during combat operations.

Also killed was Specialist Kenneth Clifford Alvarez, 23, of Santa Maria, California.

Both were assigned to 40th Mobility Augmentation Company (MAC), 2nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico.

Hostetter was a combat engineer and entered the U.S. Army in September of 2012. Before arriving at WSMR he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He deployed to Afghanistan to join the 40th MAC in April 2013. This was his first deployment. He is survived by his wife.

“Sadly, we lost two brave Comrades from 40th MAC, 2nd Engineer Battalion. This is yet another sad day for TEAM WSMR as we’ve lost two teammates from among our ranks,” said Commander of White Sands Missile Range, Brig. Gen. Gwen Bingham. “Our brave men and women are risking their lives daily in the fulfillment of their mission. Spc. Kenneth Alvarez and PV2 Jonathan Hostetter paid the supreme sacrifice with their lives. We will never forget them and their Families and what they stood for as they dedicated themselves to a life of selfless service and commitment to our Nation. We will continually keep their spouses, Families and the entire 2nd Engineer Battalion uplifted in our thoughts and prayers,” Bingham said.