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Sgt 1st Class Emmett Wilfred Goodridge Jr, and Staff Sgt Saul Fabian Gonzalez
Two U.S. Army soldiers, deployed in the Middle East in support of the campaign against ISIS, died this week in separate incidents that were not combat-related.
The Department of Defense (DoD) on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of two soldiers supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Sgt. 1st Class Emmett Wilfred Goodridge Jr., 40, of Roseville, Minnesota, died Sunday in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, as a result of an incident that was not combat-related, according to the DoD.
Goodridge was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York.
The incident is under investigation, officials said.
Three days later, Staff Sgt. Saul Fabian Gonzalez, 26, of Pullman, Michigan, died in Erbil, Iraq, in a separate incident that was not combat-related, according to the DoD.
Gonzalez was an Apache helicopter mechanic assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
"The 101st CAB mourns the loss of Staff Sergeant Gonzalez," Col. Tyler Partridge, Cmdr. of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade wrote in a statement. "His journey with the 101st, from Private to Non-Commissioned Officer was one of commitment, grit, and honor. His service will forever be etched in our memories, and his legacy will ride on with the spirit of the Cavalry in the hearts of all who served alongside him."
Gonzalez joined the Army in February 2018 and was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky in October 2018.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal- with "C" device, Army Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with a bronze clasp and one loop, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Aviation Badge, and the Army Air Assault Badge.
U.S. Army Soldiers in training
The incidents that caused the two soldiers' deaths were not immediately released. (U.S. Army)
The second incident also remains under investigation, officials said.
No further details about the incidents were immediately released.
The deaths come days after President Donald Trump honored the U.S. Army for its 250th anniversary on Saturday. (Fox News, but headline rejigged)
