PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray joined hundreds of relatives, friends, soldiers and well-wishers paying tribute to a U.S. paratrooper who died while trying to save a comrade in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Benjamin Sherman of Plymouth died after jumping into the river to save a colleague who was also swept away by the current. The two soldiers were trying to retrieve airdropped supplies from a river in western Afghanistan.

Sherman's body was found about a week later, on Nov. 10. He was promoted posthumously.

Members of the veterans' motorcycle group, the Patriot Guard Riders, mounted an honor guard during calling hours at the Richard Davis Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service is set for 11 a.m. on Friday at the Second Church of Plymouth in Manomet. Burial will follow at the Manomet Cemetery.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)