Queens Tribune

Another fallen Queens soldier joined his comrades in arms when his Humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device, small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades Sunday.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay, 51, of Cambria Heights, was a member of the New York Army National Guard B Troop 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry, based in Jamestown.

McKay and his unit were operating near Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar Province in eastern Afghanistan when they came under attack. Spc. Mark Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie and Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Hilton, 37, of Minnesota and a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard, were also killed in the attack.

“Once again the members of the New York Army National Guard are mourning the loss of brave soldiers who died defending their country and trying to help the people of Afghanistan,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, the adjutant general of New York and commander of the New York National Guard. “We will mourn with their families and will do everything within our power to help them.”

According to a release from the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, McKay and Hilton’s unit was assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command-East, which is responsible for training the Afghan National Army in eastern Afghanistan.

McKay and Hilton were not the only two losses for the New York National Guard in June. On June 21 three New York Army National Guard members were killed when their Humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.

McKay is survived by a wife and son residing in Cambria Heights and two adult children, a son in Brooklyn and daughter in North Carolina.

To recognize their service Gov. David Paterson has ordered flags on state government property to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday.

“It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the death of these brave members of the New York Army National Guard,” Paterson said. “Their sacrifice will be honored and valued forever.”