Baltimore soldier killed in Afghanistan

DOVER, Del. - The Department of Defense has announced the death of a Baltimore soldier.

Captain Charles E. Ridgley, Jr. of Baltimore was one of five Army service members that was killed on April 16 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The five were killed at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Nangarhar providence, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an Afghan National Army soldier attacked them with multiple grenades.

Ridgley was assigned to the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska.

Captain Ridgely's remains arrived at the Dover Air Force Base yesterday evening.

Also killed in the attack were Sgt. 1st Class Charles L. Adkins, 36, of Sandusky, Ohio, Staff Sgt. Cynthia R. Taylor, 39, of Columbus, Ga., Sgt. Linda L. Pierre, 28, Immokalee, Fla.; and Spc. Joseph B. Cemper, 21, Warrensburg, Mo. They were assigned to the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.