Memorial ceremony held for two fallen engineers

A memorial ceremony was held Wednesday at the Bamberg Community Chapel on Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Germany, for two Soldiers assigned to the 541st Engineer Company (Sapper), 54th Engineer Battalion, who died in Afghanistan March 22.

Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Gire, 28, of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Pfc. Michael C. Mahr, 26, of Homosassa, Fla., died in Logar Province of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device, rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.

“Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of Staff Sergeant Gire and Private 1st Class Mahr,” said Lt. Col. Anna Friederich, a 21st Theater Sustainment Command spokeswoman. “Our priority right now is ensuring all the families’ needs are taken care of and these two Soldiers are appropriately honored for their sacrifices.”

Sergeant Gire and Private Mahr were assigned to the 21st TSC’s 18th Engineer Brigade and stationed in Bamberg. At the time of the incident, they were both deployed with their company to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The incident is under investigation.