'A hard charger'

Image courtesy: Kentucky National Guard

Sgt. Randolph Sigley had lofty goals. While in college at Eastern Kentucky University, 2nd Lt. Troy Walton already admired his future fellow servicemember's ambition.

"He was definitely a hard-charger; he was motivated to do everything," Walton said. "I think he was pretty excited actually to go over to Afghanistan."

According to the Pentagon, Sgt. Sigley, 28, died on April 18 in Bagram, Afghanistan. The death of the soldier, who served with the the 2123rd Transportation Company, is currently under investigation. The Louisville Courier-Journal reports Sigley was found dead in his bunk by fellow National Guard troops, who attempted to resuscitate him.

Sean Rose's article said Sigley was the commander of a mine-resistant ambush protective vehicle, designed to protect convoys from improvised explosive devices planted by terrorists.

Originally assigned to a cargo vehicle, Sigley was given the special assignment to an MRAP because of his "dedication to his unit," [Lt. Col. Kirk] Hilbrecht said. "He was a heck of a soldier who was always volunteering for assignments."

Sgt. Randolph Sigley's tragic death is being mourned by the Kentucky National Guard, friends, and surviving family members, including his mother, stepfather, and sister. As the investigation continues and loving relatives seek answers, hopefully his courageous service in Afghanistan will bring them some measure of solace. The soldier loved his country and did everything he possibly could to prove it.