According to Army officials, a 29-year-old soldier has been found dead in his barracks while attending basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. This marks the fourth death of a soldier at the base in the past year.
The identity of the active-duty soldier was not immediately released although he is said to be from Wisconsin.
In a statement made by the 1st, Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment they noted that the base will be holding a 48-hour training stand down following the soldier’s death.
Fort Jackson Commander Brig. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Jr said, “A loss of a loved one and teammate is never easy. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Know we are providing comfort and assistance to all who knew him.”
193rd IN BDE tweeted, “Task Force Bayonet Families, Friends and Teammates, 1-13 IN suffered the loss of a soldier in training today. The command is conducting a 48 hour training stand down. An investigation is on going. We extend our deepest condolences to the family as well the Battalion.”
An investigation looking into the death is underway. Officials at the base did say it was unrelated to COVID-19 and not a cause of active field training exercises but no further information has been released.
Within the last year, three other soldiers have died at the same base.
After experiencing what is only described as a “medical emergency” an 18 year-old-soldier from North Caroline died before a training exercise on September 21st, 2019.
On January 8th, 2020, 19-year-old Minnesota National Guard soldier Private Conner J. McGurran was found unresponsive at the bast and later died.
Then in March, Private Angel Cortes, a 29-year-old soldier from Connecticut, suffered a medical emergency while “conducting a nonstrenuous activity” and was later pronounced dead.
Restrictions have since been put into place at the base. Sleeping bays in the barracks are now limited to just thirty soldiers each.
