This is Maupin’s third promotion since he was captured as a private first class on April 9, 2004, when his convoy was attacked near Baghdad by enemy forces with rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.

“This will keep Staff Sgt. Maupin in line with his peers so that when he returns he’ll have some catching up to do as far as proper schooling goes, but at least he’ll have the rank of his peers, who are now part of the NCO corps,” said Maj. Annmarie Daneker, 88th Regional Readiness Command Public Affairs Office.

Missing after the attack, Maupin was immediately placed in an accountability status referred to as “Duty Status: Whereabouts Unknown.” His status was later changed to “Missing-Captured.”

He is a member of the 724th Transportation Company from Bartonville, Ill., but assigned to the 88th Regional Readiness Command for the deployment.

Maupin remains entitled to rights and privileges for pay and promotions as long as he remains on active-duty status. His basic monthly pay continues to go into an account Maupin set up before deploying.

In an Army statement announcing Maupin’s promotion, officials cited the Warrior Ethos, “I will never leave a fallen comrade,” adding that the Army remains committed to finding Maupin.

“We have faith that he is following the Soldiers Creed and staying true to Army values,” Daneker said. “We hope for him to return soon. We’d like to put him back with his family.”