Teenage soldier who died at Fort Jackson identified by Army
The 19-year-old soldier found dead at Fort Jackson Wednesday has been identified by the U.S. Army.
Pvt. Connor J. McGurran is the Minnesota Army National Guard Soldier who was found unresponsive in the morning following a training exercise, spokeswoman Leslie Ann Sully said in a news release.
Information on the teenager’s cause of death was not available, but it is being investigated, according to the release.
An Army official with the Columbia installation originally said McGurran was found unresponsive at a field location.
McGurran’s unit took life-saving measures while contacting emergency medical services, Sully said.
Fort Jackson paramedics transported McGurran to Providence Hospital where the soldier died, according to the release.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family members and teammates of the deceased soldier. We are providing every comfort and assistance that we can to all involved,” said Fort Jackson Commander Brig. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. “The tragic loss of any soldier, one of America’s most precious resources, devastates families, friends and teammates.”
This is the second death of a soldier at Fort Jackson in the past five months.
Pvt. Andrew McLean, an 18-year-old from Fayetteville, North Carolina suffered a medical emergency before an outdoor physical training drill in September 2019, The State reported.
Fort Jackson is the nation’s largest military basic training base with more than 50,000 recruits assigned there each year.
Other fatal incidents have been reported at Fort Jackson.
In October 2017, two soldiers were killed and six more were injured when they were struck by military vehicle during training, The State reported.
An 18-year-old recruit died after a training march in August 2009. In July 2016, a sergeant first class died after collapsing at the end of a physical fitness test.
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This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 5:26 PM.
