Missouri National Guard soldier killed in Iraq

An Army Corps carry team holds the transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Paul F. Brooks, 34, of Joplin, Mo., during a transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Del. on Sunday, May 24, 2009. Brooks was one of three soldiers killed May 21 near Baghdad from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.   ¦  LUIS M. ALVAREZ/Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY,— A Missouri Army National Guard soldier from Joplin has died of wounds he suffered in Iraq.

Sgt. Paul Faris Brooks was injured May 21 when his unit was attacked near Baghdad, Iraq. Two others — Maj. Jason E. George, of Tehachapi Calif., and 1st Lt. Leevi K. Barnard, of Mount Airy, N.C. — also were killed in the attack.

The 34-year-old Brooks joined the Missouri National Guard in July 2004 and was most recently assigned to the 935th Aviation Support Battalion in Springfield. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.

He received several military honors, including the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding performance as the battalion's only medic during his first mobilization.

Brooks is the 10th Missouri National Guard soldier killed during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.