Sgt. Andrew Cote Nicol, 23, was a team leader assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. He was born on Feb. 7, 1987 and was a native of Kensington, N.H.

Nicol was seriously wounded by an enemy improvised explosive device during a combat operation in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. He was treated immediately by unit medical personnel and quickly evacuated to the nearest treatment facility where he died of his wounds.

He was on his fifth combat deployment. Nicol had previously deployed twice to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq.

After graduating from Exeter High School, Nicol enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2006. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program also at Fort Benning.

Following graduation from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in March 2007, Nicol was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served as a rifleman and a team leader.

His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, the U.S. Army Ranger Course and the Warrior Leader Course.

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. Nicol was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Purple Heart.

Nicol is survived by his parents Roland and Patricia Nicol of Kensington, N. H.

As a Ranger, Nicol selflessly lived his life for others while he distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, which remains continuously deployed in support of the War on Terrorism. In every instance he fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.