A 19-year-old soldier died Monday while swimming at a Fort Benning, Georgia, fitness center, the base announced Wednesday via Facebook.
Pfc. Hank L. Brown had served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, since October 2014, according to a news release from the installation. He joined the Army in June of that year.
Brown, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was not on duty when the incident at the Smith Fitness Center Pool took place. His death is under investigation, base officials said.
"Brown helped provide Ranger students with tough, realistic training under adverse conditions in order to develop them into better leaders," Capt. Micah Pawlata, the HHC commander, said in the release, calling the 19-year-old "the epitome of a 'hard charger.' "
Brown was to begin Ranger school in September, Pawlata said.
"The thoughts and prayers of the ARTB and the entire Fort Benning community are with the Brown family during this exceptionally challenging time," Col. David Fivecoat, ARTB commander, said in the release.
