Explosion kills Schofield soldier in Afghanistan

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

A second soldier from Schofield Barracks has died while serving on a year's deployment to Afghanistan.

Cpl. David M. Fraise, 24, of New Orleans, La., died Monday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when his patrol hit an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense announced today.

Fraise, an infantryman, was assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, out of Schofield. He joined the Army in June 2001 and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) in December 2001.

He leaves behind a wife on O'ahu. Division spokeswoman Pat Simoes said the widow declined to be interviewed.

Eight other members of the division have died since being deployed to the Middle East. Only one other, Spc. Phillip W. Witkowski, 24, of Fredonia, N.Y., died in Afghanistan.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.