Two Fort Carson soldiers were killed Monday in Kalagush, Afghanistan, the Defense Department said Tuesday.

Sgt. Christopher J. Birdwell, 25, of Windsor, Colo., and Spc. Mabry J. Anders, 21, of Baker City, Ore., were killed by enemy gunfire, the Defense Department said.

Both will be sorely missed by family and friends. Dustin Birdwell, Christopher’s brother, had more than 60 comments of both sympathy and praise from friends on his Facebook page.

“Chris departs this world as a hero that will forever remain in our hearts and memories,” wrote one.

Another commented, “The courage Chris had was amazing…sending all your family my love.”

Birdwell’s father, Jim, told The Denver Post that his son was going to make a career out of the military. He was shot in the chest by small-arms fire, according to The Post, and his family was told of his death on Monday.

Anders was described as a “bubbly, fun kid” by a Baker City high school assistant principal, Gundula O’Neal, in a story by The Oregonian.

“He was a very likeable, social kid. He had an upbeat personality,” O’Neal told The Oregonian.

The Post cited an Associated Press report that two soldiers died after an Afghan soldier opened fire on “international allies.” The international troops fired back and killed the Afghan attacker, according to a NATO statement.

Both Birdwell and Anders were assigned to the 4th Special Troops Battalion of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson.

The two soldiers were highly decorated with various awards and medals: Birdwell received 20 commendations and Anders got 11, including several that were awarded posthumously, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal.

Birdwell enlisted in the Army in March 2006 and first arrived at Fort Carson a little more than three years ago. He served three separate tours in Afghanistan between September 2006 and this month, including a year-long stint between May 2009 and May 2010.

Among his other awards were two Army Commendation Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and two Meritorious Unit Commendations.

Anders joined up in January 2010 and was assigned to Fort Carson in July 2011. He was flown to Afghanistan in March.

Some of his awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star.

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Photo by

Sgt. Christopher Birdwell Photo by Photo courtesy of Fort Carson

Spc. Mabry Anders Photo by Photo courtesy of Fort Carson