Funeral services have been scheduled for Algona, Iowa native

Sgt. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, of Algonåa died Nov. 16 serving on active duty in the U.S. Army during a patrol in Paktika province, Afghanistan, åhen enemy forces attacked his unit with an Improvised Explosive Device and small arms fire.

Also killed in the attack was Sgt. Channing B. Hicks, 24, or Greer, S.C. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., as infantrymen.

Richardson was assigned to the 1st ID in October 2008 and had previously served a tour in Iraq. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Richardson was born Sept. 10, 1989 and grew up in Algona, Iowa. He attended Seton Elementary in Algona from kindergarten through 6th grade, and Algona High School from 7th through 9th grade, and graduated from Booneville (Ark.) High School in 2008. While in high school, Richardson participated in drama, golf, cross country, and Future Farmers of America. He was nominated and participated in the Booneville High School Mr. and Miss Pageant his junior year. Richardson worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken and Sonic in Arkansas prior to joining the Army in June 2008.

His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal (posthumous); Purple Heart (posthumous); Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star); Iraq Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Ribbon (posthumous); and the Combat Infantry Badge.