Sgt. Christopher Waugh Mulalley died Friday in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced.

Mulalley, 26, of Eureka, Calif., died in Gardez, Afghanistan, as the result of a non-combat-related incident, according to the DoD announcement.

Mulalley was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas since July 2013.

The circumstances of his death are under investigation, according to the DoD announcement.

Mulalley entered active-duty service in July 2006 as an infantryman.

He deployed to Afghanistan in June. His previous deployments were to Iraq from March 2007 to December 2007 and Afghanistan from May 2009 to June 2010.

Mulalley's awards include three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert with Rifle.