The United States Defense Department announced Sunday that Sergeant Major James G. Sartor died Saturday in Afghanistan’s Faryab Province.

Sartor, 40 of Teague, Texas, died from injuries in combat as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. According to Army Times, Sartor is the 12^thservice member to die in Afghanistan this year, and has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals.

He was assigned to the 2^ndBattalion, 10^thSpecial Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson.

An investigation has been launched to look into the incident.