By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Governor Jay Nixon has declared that all flags at all government buildings will be flown at half-staff today (Tuesday, May 31) in honor of a fallen Missourian.

Specialist Bradley Louis Melton, of Rolla, Mo., was a soldier in the US Army (25th Infantry Division). Melton was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, and was killed on May 16, 2011, due to injuries received from an improvised explosive device.

Melton was a highly decorated member of the Army, with awards including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star (two awards).

Also by order of the Governor, all flags at all State and government offices will be flown at half-staff, in Phelps County only, from Tuesday, May 31, 2011, until dusk on Monday, June 6, 2011.