Gov. Rick Snyder ordered U. S. flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Pfc. Brian J. Backus Monday.

Flags should be returned to full-staff Tuesday.

Backus, 21, of Harbor Beach, died Saturday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

“Pfc. Backus served our country with bravery and courage. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time of great sorrow,” Snyder said.

Backus was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division of Fort Drum, N.Y.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Medical Badge.

Backus deployed with his unit in March 2011 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.