Soldier killed by lightning at Georgia Army base identified

9 troopers in complete had been struck by lightning through the coaching train at Fort Gordon, Sgt. 1st Class Clark being the one fatality.
DVIDS

The soldier killed by a bolt of lightning at a Georgia Military base Wednesday has been recognized as a 22-year veteran of the Military and reserves who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 4 instances.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Clark, 41, was struck by lightning round 11:10 a.m. throughout a coaching train at Fort Gordon, the US Military Reserve introduced Thursday. Clark, a reservist assigned to a medical workforce that performs emergency surgical procedure in fight zones, was rushed to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Military Medical Middle, however couldn’t be saved.

The Military Reserve mentioned 9 different troopers had been hospitalized for accidents sustained from the lightning strike.

Clark, of Springfield, Mass., was assigned to the 933rd Ahead Resuscitative Surgical Firm, third Medical Command.

“The 933rd FRSD household is devastated by the lack of our brother, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Clark,” mentioned Maj. Stephen W. Rhinehart, commander of the corporate. “Sgt. 1st Class Clark was a loving husband, father, and a Patriot who deeply cherished our nation. His management, data, expertise, and love for his fellow Troopers was immeasurable.”

Sgt. 1st Class Clark was in Georgia for annual medical coaching together with his reserve unit at Fort Gordon.

US Military

Rhinehart known as Clark a “pal and brother,” which made his dying particularly onerous to bear.

“Sgt. 1st Class Clark’s smile and laughter had been infectious and all the time introduced pleasure to everybody round him,” he mentioned. “Phrases won't ever be capable to describe how a lot he shall be missed, however his affect on our unit and Troopers will stay without end.”

One of many 9 others — eight reservists and one soldier — has been handled and launched from the hospital, whereas the eight remaining are nonetheless receiving therapy and are in “good situation,” in line with the Military Reserve.

The reserves and troopers had been taking part in an annual coaching for medical models to refine their medical expertise within the area and in annoying environments.

“We lengthen our honest sympathies to Sgt. 1st Class Clark’s unit and his household throughout this tough time,” mentioned Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, Chief of Military Reserve and Commanding Normal of U.S. Military Reserve Command. “Persons are our most necessary asset. Sgt. 1st Class Clark was a helpful member of our Military Reserve workforce and we're all deeply saddened by his loss.”