Saturday, Sep. 12, 2009

Soldier training at Fort Jackson dies

For the second time in less than month, a soldier training at Fort Jackson has died.

Spc. Christopher Hogg, 23, died at about 9 p.m. Thursday from what “was initially diagnosed as pneumonia,” the Army reported Friday.

Hogg, of Deltona, Fla., was admitted Sept. 3 at Palmetto Health Richland with a fever and respiratory problems, the Army added. No autopsy is planned.

Hogg was in his fifth week of training and was set to graduate Oct. 15. He was a member of D Company, 3rd Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment.

On Aug. 20, Pvt. Jonathan Morales, 18, of Milwaukee, died from apparent heatstroke while participating in a foot march just days before he was to graduate from basic training.

Morales’ death was the first in basic training at the Army’s largest training center since three soldiers died within a month of each other in 2008.

— Chuck Crumbo

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