Hampton soldier killed in Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN (WAVY) - A 25-year-old Hampton soldier died in Afghanistan Wednesday from injuries sustained from an IED while on patrol.

According to a news release from the Department of Defense, Sgt. David J. Chambers died in the Panjwai District of Afghanistan.

Chambers was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, under control of the 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

According to the Seattle Times , Chambers enlisted in the army in May 2009. He was on his second tour of Afghanistan when he was killed. He was previously deployed in June 2010 through May 2011. Chambers left for his latest deployment in November 2012.

WAVY.com spoke with Chambers' parents Friday and said Chambers had been injured by an IED during his first tour of Afghanistan.

He received a Purple Heart after that incident.

"In that case, he was in a striker and he ran over an IED and he lost part of his hearing in one of his ears," Chambers' father Michael Chambers said.

However, his parents say he was passionate about serving his country.

"He was happy in what he was doing," his mother Julie Chambers said. "He felt that he was protecting us and his country and that was his duty."

"I didn't want him to re-enlist," his mother said. "I was afraid he was going to get hurt again but I knew there was nothing I could do. Dave just had this drive."

Chambers attended Kecoughtan High School and was one semester away from graduating college when he left on his second tour of Afghanistan.