The Department of Defense on Friday announced the death of a Syracuse-based New York Army National Guard Soldier serving in Afghanistan.

According to the state Division of Military & Naval Affairs, Specialist Deon Taylor, 30, of the Bronx, died on Oct. 22 in Bela Beluk, Farah Province, Afghanistan, after his armored humvee struck an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces.

Taylor, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 1997, was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Syracuse. The 27th Brigade Combat Team is serving as the headquarters for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, an 8,000- member international force responsible for training the Afghan National Army and police.

Taylor is being awarded the Bronze Star, posthumously, along with the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, and will be promoted posthumously to sergeant. He is the eighth New York Army National Guard Soldier serving in Afghanistan to die in that country since the 27th Brigade Combat Team deployed there in April.