A firefight broke out this past Saturday between U.S. forces and their Afghan Army Allies in eastern Afghanistan which killed two American soldiers and wounding several including local Woodbury resident Franz Ulrich Walkup who is currently serving as a fire support specialist in the Army The fighting started Saturday when what is believed to have been a mortar fired by insurgents struck a checkpoint set up by U.S. forces in Wardak province. The Americans thought they were under attack from a nearby Afghan army checkpoint and fired on it, prompting the Afghan soldiers to return fire.
The Afghan Defense Ministry said the gun battle was the result of a “misunderstanding” between international forces and Afghan soldiers manning a checkpoint
Walkup has had 4 surgeries and is listed as very seriously injured. He was shot in the upper abdomen and has damage to several organs and hips that is requiring more surgery and extra rehab. He has been transported to a hospital in Germany. A Facebook page has been set up for those that would like to show their support. Log in to Facebook.com and type in Staying Strong For Franz in the search and it will guide to the page.
