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Missing from their ranks was Sgt. Derrick Kirkland. The husband and father had been sent home from Iraq five months earlier after trying to commit suicide three times.

“The doctors at Madigan (Army Hospital), for some reason after three suicide attempts in a matter of a couple of weeks, rated Kirkland as low-risk for suicide,” said Army veteran Mike Prysner.

Fellow unit members say Kirkland returned to his rear detachment unit at JBLM where he was allegedly called a liar and a coward.

“After mocking him on a Friday night, he was sent to a room by himself, which is complete contradiction to anybody who has any amounts of common sense,” said fellow soldier Kevin Baker. “He was placed by himself, and he was found Sunday morning. He’d hung himself in a closet.”

Kirkland’s supporters say the Army cleared itself in an internal investigation, but they want the investigation reopened.

“It is our assertion that Sgt. Kirkland was killed by the criminal negligence provided by the U.S. Army here at Fort Lewis,” Prysner said.

A JBLM spokesman called Kirkland’s death a tragedy, but said he can’t comment on the details except to say the military takes suicide prevention extremely seriously.

But Kirkland’s supporters say the military’s efforts are falling short while the horrors of war are taking a toll on our troops. Military veterans say soldier suicides have reached epidemic proportions, and more prevention is needed.

“More soldiers are killing themselves each day than dying in combat. That right there says that something is very wrong with the system right now, of (the) mental health care in the military,” said Army veteran Josh Simpson.

Kirkland’s supporters say it’s going to take public pressure on the military to get changes. Toward that end, Kirkland’s mother and several fellow active-duty soldiers are going to speak out Friday night near the base, hoping to catch the military’s attention.

Taken From: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/127496908.html

Dead are:

· Captain Anne M. Montgomery, 25, an Army aviator and a native of North Dakota. She had served on active duty since August 2008, and arrived for duty at JBLM in December 2010.

Montgomery is a 2008 graduate of the United States Military Academy, and had not deployed overseas. Her awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Glob al War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge.

· Chief Warrant Officer Three Frank A. Buoniconti, 36, an Army aviator and a native of Colorado. Buoniconti had served on active duty since July 1994, and arrived for duty at JBLM in early November 2011.

Buoniconti was commissioned a Warrant Officer in 2003, and since has had assignments at Fort Bragg, N.C., and the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. He deployed to Iraq twice, and Afghanistan twice. Buoniconti’s awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (six awards), Army Commendation Medal (nine awards), and the Army Commendation Medal w/”V” device, the Army Senior Aviator Badge, and other awards and decorations.

· Chief Warrant Officer Three Joseph S. Satterfield, 32, an Army aviator and a native of Alaska. Satterfield had served on active duty since September 1997, and arrived for duty at JBLM in December 2009.

Satterfield was commissioned a Warrant Officer in 2002, and since has had assignments in Korea and at Fort Campbell, Ky. He deployed to Iraq once, and to Afghanistan once. Satterfield’s awards include the Air Medal (two awards), Army Commendation Medal (two awards), the Aviator Badge, and other awards and decorations.

· Chief Warrant Officer Two Lucas Daniel Sigfrid, 32, an Army aviator and a native of Alabama. Sigfrid had served on active duty since May 2008, and arrived for duty at JBLM in January 2011.

Sigfrid was commissioned a Warrant Officer in 2008, and had not deployed overseas. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge.

Montgomery and Buoniconti and were assigned to A Troop, 4th Squadron, 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Satterfield and Sigfrid were assigned to C Troop, 4/6 ARS, 16th CAB.

An investigation into the cause of the accident has already begun by the Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., who is the overall lead in the accident investigation. The circumstances of the crash will be determined by the investigation team. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. According to a base safety officer, the helicopters were on a routine night training flight.

“The Soldiers and Leadership at 16th Combat Aviation Brigade mourn the loss of our patriotic heroes,” said Colonel Robert Dickerson, Commander, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of the aviators involved in this accident. We are conducting a thorough investigation to find the cause of this event and offer our utmost support to the families during this difficult time.”

Taken From: http://kirkland.patch.com/articles/army-releases-names-of-four-killed-in-helicopter-crash

“It seemed to me that he loved it. All the pictures I’ve seen of him deployed, he was smiling,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman remembered Turner as a popular student and a reliable friend.

“He was always that guy you could count on,” Zimmerman said.

Younger teens in the neighborhood looked up to Turner, too.

“Neil definitely left an imprint on my heart,” said Lincoln High School senior Ransom Hatch. “He’s one person who can’t be forgotten.”

Hatch said his older brother spent many hours fixing cars with Neil. He remembered the soldier constantly riding a bicycle around the neighborhood.

“He was always down to try a new adventure.”

Hatch said he saw Turner a few weeks ago when Turner came home to Tacoma for his leave. Turner appeared to be in good spirits.

“He was still the same old Neil,” Hatch said.

The Defense Department typically waits a day or two to release information about a service member’s death and military record. Information on Turner’s Facebook page shows that he was a private assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas.

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