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Associated Press - August 4, 2009 6:54 PM ET
Corrected Version
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A 19-year-old central Illinois soldier who died of a non-combat-related injury in Afghanistan late last month has been posthumously promoted.
The Illinois Army National Guard says Spc. Gerrick Smith of Sullivan has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. He died July 29.
Smith enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in February 2007. This was his first deployment.
Smith was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry based in Marion. The unit had been in Afghanistan since December 2008.
Visitation is being held at 3 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday at Sullivan High School. Graveside services will be held following Saturday's visitation at Moultrie County Memorial Park.
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