Wyoming National Guardsman Dies in Afghanistan LARAMIE, WY (wpr) - A Wyoming National Guardsman has died in Afghanistan. Captain Bruce Hays of Cheyenne died September 17th when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Brigadier General Olin Oedekoven says Hays arrived in Afghanistan in mid-August. He was part of a team that trains Afghan police. Oedekoven worked with Captain Hays for years and says he exemplified the mission of service and sacrifice.

"He was second to none," Oedekoven says, "very well liked by his soldiers because he was such a compassionate and caring leader, and a very close personal friend of many of us within the organization."

Hays is the fifth Wyoming Army National Guard soldier to die in Iraq or Afghanistan. He was 42. © Copyright 2009, wpr