New Jersey soldier killed in Afghanistan

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A soldier from New Jersey was killed in Afghanistan on New Year's Day.

Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, of Fort Lee, died in Nangarhar Province and served with "courage and distinction," Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, said in a statement.

"Let us honor Sergeant Golin's extraordinary courage by reflecting on his commitment to the nation he loved, and by recognizing the profound debt of gratitude we owe to him and to his family for their sacrifice," Booker said. "I extend my deepest condolences to Sergeant Golin's family and friends during this very difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers injured in this tragic incident."

Four other troops were wounded in the same combat engagement, the Army said in a news release. Two of them are being treated and two have returned to duty.

Golin, a Green Beret, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own," said Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan. "At this very difficult time our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of our fallen and wounded brothers."

The U.S. military is still in Afghanistan as part of NATO's Resolute Support, a non-combat mission to train Afghan security forces to protect the country.

Golin died on the third anniversary of the mission's establishment.