A soldier died this week in a noncombat incident, according to the Pentagon.
The Defense Department said in a Saturday statement that Sgt. William Edward Friese, 30, of Rockport, W.Va., died in the Thursday incident, which is under investigation.
The statement did not provide additional details about what occurred, and a Pentagon spokesperson did not have additional information Saturday.
Friese was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, which fights ISIS in Iraq and Syria. He was assigned to the 821st Engineer Company, 1092nd, Engineer Battalion, 111th Engineer Brigade, in Summersville, W.Va.
Friese was a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic who joined the West Virginia Army National Guard in 2008, according to a West Virginia National Guard statement. He is survived by his wife, children, mother, sister and grandparents.
“The loss of William will be felt throughout our entire organization and on behalf of the men and women of the West Virginia National Guard, I extend my heartfelt condolences to William’s family, friends and those who served with him,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, in the statement.
"William represents the values and service to State and Nation that are the foundations of service in the National Guard," he added. "May we never forget Sgt. William Friese, his family or the legacy he leaves behind."
We are saddened to announce the passing of one of our Soldiers, SGT William Friese, of the 821st Engineer Co.
— WV National Guard (@WVNationalGuard) July 20, 2019
SGT Friese was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and passed away from a non-combat related incident.
Full release at: https://t.co/cORz2YpIle pic.twitter.com/yVqg8hL4N4
