Candlelight vigil Wednesday for Green Beret from Fort Carson killed in action in Afghanistan

A Green Beret from Fort Carson has been identified as the service member killed in action in Afghanistan Saturday.

The Department of Defense sent out a brief statement Sunday morning identifying the soldier as 40-year-old Sgt. Maj. James "Ryan" Sartor, originally of Teague, Texas. Sartor was killed "as a result of injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire during combat operations," the DoD said.

A candlelight vigil is planned for Wednesday night in Falcon,

The vigil is planned for 7:30 p.m. at JAK's Brewery, 11860 Stapleton Dr. at the community tree.

Sartor served in the military for nearly 20 years, joining in June of 2001 when he was nearly 23 years old. He embarked on the first of seven career deployments just one year later, serving in Iraq as an infantryman. A selection to Special Forces soon followed, and he deployed to Iraq as a Green Beret four more times (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010). He was in the middle of his second deployment to Afghanistan at the time of his death.

Sartor was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group.

"We’re incredibly saddened," said Col. Brian Rauen, commander of 10th SFG (A) in a statement Sunday. "Ryan was a beloved warrior who epitomized the quiet professionals. He led his soldiers from the front, and his presence will be terribly missed."

Sartor achieved numerous awards and decorations in his 18-year career, including a Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He will posthumously be awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

He is survived by his wife and three children, according to the Special Forces Foundation.

The incident that led to Sartor's death is under investigation.

to donate to the Sartor family through the Special Forces Foundation.