AFGHANISTAN: Navy SEAL becomes 513th American to die

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He was an all-star football player in high school, received a degree in studio art from Davidson College, and studied architecture at the University of North Carolina. He studied art history in France, was a devotee of Camus, and his artwork was displayed in numerous galleries, including Lincoln Center.

In 2000, he enlisted in the Navy and soon graduated from SEAL training in Coronado, considered the most grueling of military specialties.

And this weekend Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Harris, now 36, drowned in Afghanistan during a combat mission. He was the 513th American to die in Afghanistan in combat. The Lexington, N.C., resident had served combat tours in Iraq and received a Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon and other commendations.

‘He felt really compelled to do something purposeful in his life,’ his high school choral teacher told the Virginian-Pilot newspaper.

Here’s a full profile in today’s Washington Post.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

P.S. The Los Angeles Times issues a free daily newsletter with the latest headlines from the Middle East, as well as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. You can subscribe by logging in at the website here, clicking on the box for ‘L.A. Times updates,’ and then clicking on the ‘World: Mideast’ box.