Army SSG Alicia Birchett Died of Injuries Suffered From a Non-Combat Related Vehicle Accident in Baghdad, Iraq (August 9, 2007)

Alicia Birchett
SSG Alicia Birchett, US Army

Army SSG Alicia Birchett, 29, died of injuries suffered from a non-combat related vehicle accident in Baghdad, Iraq on August 9, 2007. SSG Birchett was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 887th Engineer Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. At the time of the Department of Defense August 15th press release, the incident was under investigation. According to media reports, her family said Alicia was fatally injured when the brakes of a military truck failed while she changed a tire.

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Army Staff Sgt. Alicia A. Birchett
Sgt. Alicia Birchett: 101st Airborne soldier dies in Iraq 8-07
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)
Violent Crime, Suicide & Non Combat Death at Fort Campbell, Kentucky (US Army)

Fort Bragg Army Captain Jeremy Chandler Died After Explosives Detonated During Training Operations in Afghanistan (August 11, 2005)

Jeremy Chandler
Captain Jeremy Chandler, U.S. Army

Army Captain Jeremy Chandler, 30, died while he was conducting training operations at Forward Operating Base Ripley in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan on August 11, 2005. Capt. Chandler died while he was preparing for combat operations in Afghanistan. Capt. Chandler was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the time of the Department of Defense press release, the incident was under investigation. According to an article in Savannah Now, Jeremy and his team were conducting pre-mission training operations at FOB Ripley when explosives issued to the team detonated and killed Jeremy.

“The Captain Jeremy Chandler Leadership Scholarship was established at North Georgia College & State University immediately following Jeremy’s death. The scholarship is offered annually to a participant of Ranger Challenge, one of the cadet organizations at the school. The Jeremy Chandler Medical Clinic in Afghanistan was dedicated in Jeremy’s name in November 2006. Jonnie and Al said they wept upon hearing the news of the dedication….Jeremy’s legacy is also being carried on through the Captain Jeremy Chandler Marine Marathon Team in the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The event raises money to provide educational assistance for the children of fallen Special Operations personnel.” -Savannah Now (May 16, 2007)

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Honor the Fallen: Army Capt. Jeremy A. Chandler
Special Forces: Capt. Jeremy Allen Chandler
Green Beret Foundation: Jeremy A. Chandler
The last word he would use to describe himself was hero’
4th annual Captain Jeremy Alan Chandler Memorial scholarship
Jamie Alden, A Warrior’s Request for Memorial Day
August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)
DoD: Flag for a Friend

Navy Seaman Bryant Davis Died in Non Combat Related Accident After Falling Overboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Kitty Hawk in North Arabian Sea (2001)

Bryant Davis
Bryant Davis, US Navy

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Bryant L. Davis, 20, US Navy, died of a non combat death on November 7, 2001. Davis was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in the North Arabian Sea. The Department of Defense reported in the press release that Davis was declared deceased after falling overboard. Search and rescue efforts were conducted but after a couple of days were halted.

Now, his family and friends are searching for an explanation. The Pentagon has provided no details on how the accident occurred, they said. “I don’t know what happened to my baby,” said Helen Davis, his grandmother. “I’m looking for answers. I will not stop until I get an answer.” –Chicago Tribune

Related Links:
DOD Casualty Update
Navy Machinist’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Bryant L. Davis
Sailor said God called him to serve
Kitty Hawk Completes Enduring Freedom Deployment