Soldier dies at Fort Polk; second fatal training incident in 2 months

A specialist died Sept. 9 in a training accident at Fort Polk, Louisiana, becoming the second training fatality at the base in less than two months.

Spc. Silas S. Jones, 22, of Marionville, Missouri, a member of 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, died "in a tactical vehicle incident" that also injured another soldier, according to a Friday statement released by Fort Polk. The injured soldier was airlifted to a nearby hospital; neither his name nor his condition were provided by base officials, who said in the statement that no further information would be released pending the results of an investigation.

Jones joined the Army in May 2012, according to the release. The cannon crew member deployed to Afghanistan in June 2013, returning the following February, and came to Fort Polk in July. He earned two Army Commendation Medals among other decorations, the release states.

The incident was reported by NOLA.com along with other local media outlets.

On July 24, 20-year-old Sgt. Tyler Zody died at Fort Polk in a training accident that injured three other soldiers. That incident also is under investigation.

In Other News

Oracle exec: VA health records overhaul is only real option for vets

The company behind VA's controversial health records project insists the work can still be finished in a way that benefits veterans and taxpayers.

Will more minority veterans receive the Medal of Honor?

Of the 3,515 recipients, 93 are Black; 59 are Hispanic or Latino; 35 are Asian or Pacific Islander; 33 are Native American; and 18 are Jewish.

‘When they came home they were on their own’ — National Guard grapples with suicide rate

As things got worse, death itself became a means of intervention: Funerals reunited buddies, and they quietly identified who could be next.

Why stratospheric balloons are used in era of space-based intelligence

Experts say balloons loitering at high altitudes can offer some advantages over satellites and drones — and could at least augment ISR capabilities.

This week in Congress: State of the Union and start of committee work

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Feb. 6.

These recommendations could help transitioning service members

The George W. Bush Institute is urging the current administration to support programs and resources to help veterans successfully transition to civilian li

China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky

The massive white orb that drifted across U.S. airspace and was shot down by the military triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and blown up on social media.

US downs Chinese balloon, a flashpoint in US-China tensions

Biden said he wanted the balloon downed on Wednesday, but was advised the best time for the operation would be when it was over water.

‘The Covenant’ trailer promises an agonizing Afghan translator story

“The Covenant” arrives in theaters in April.

Army’s parental leave policy will mirror private sector more closely

The Army was the last to release its updated policy following a directive issued by the Pentagon.

Load More