New Jersey to fly flags at half-staff to honor soldier killed in Afghanistan

New Jersey will fly flags at half-staff next week to honor a United States soldier from Bergen County who was killed in Afghanistan.
Gov. Phil Murphy issued the order on Friday. Flags will be lowered on Thursday, Jan. 9 to honor Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goble.
Military officials say that the 33-year-old was with his unit when its members discovered an undisclosed amount of Taliban weapons in Kunduz Province. Goble and others were clearing out the cache when an explosion happened.
“Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goble represented the best values of our Armed Forces and of New Jersey -- dedication, fearlessness, and excellence. His tragic passing reminds us of the tremendous sacrifices our soldiers and our military families make in the name of service so that our nation's values may continue to be a beacon around the world,” Murphy said in a statement.
Eric Pahon, a spokesman for the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said the Taliban wrongly claimed that the service members were in a convoy and targeted by a roadside bomb during a raid.
Goble was from Washington Township. He leaves behind a young daughter.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.