Quoted Text
Soldier dies in tank fire at Fort Hood
FORT HOOD, Texas (Army News Service, May 16, 2002) -- A Cavalry soldier died and eight soldiers and one Army civilian employee were injured when a tank caught fire during a training exercise at Fort Hood on May 15.
Pvt. Gerardo M. Chavez, 19, the driver of the M1A2 Abrams tank was pronounced dead at 6:49 a.m. at Darnall Army Community Hospital on Fort Hood. Chavez was a member of the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
Chavez was a native of Santa Maria, Calif. He entered the Army in August 2001, and was assigned to Fort Hood in January.
The other injured soldiers and the Army civilian employee were taken to DACH and treated for smoke inhalation and burns. They received minor injuries and were released from the hospital.
The fire occurred at approximately 5:45 a.m. while the unit was conducting training on the east side of the military installation.
The U.S. Army Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., and the 1st Cavalry Division will investigate the accident.
(This release was submitted by the 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office, Fort Hood.)
It's a dangerous business. May he already be welcomed by fellow troopers on Fiddler's Green. Garry Owen...I salute you, PVT Chavez.
