Soldier killed, several injured in Fort Bragg training exercise

FORT BRAGG

The incident occurred while troops from 18th Fires Brigade conducted artillery live-fire training with a M777 light, towed howitzer.

The dead soldier was identified Saturday as 22-year-old Pfc. James Groth. Officials said two other soldiers were seriously injured and five others were treated and released from Womack Army Medical Center.

Of the two seriously injured, Spc. Scott Yeates, 30, remains at Womack Army Medical Center and Sgt. Cory Muzzy, 25, has been transferred to Duke University Medical Center. Both men are in serious but stable condition.

Groth was originally from Washington and leaves behind a wife. He enlisted in 2012 and was assigned to the Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

"We are diligently working to provide Soldiers and their families the support and care during this difficult time. We have suffered a great loss in the 18th Fires Brigade and express our deepest condolences. Those that have been affected by this tragic incident remain in our thoughts and prayers," said Col. Stephen G. Smith, Commander, 18th Fires Brigade.

"Losing a Trooper is heartbreaking. Pfc. Groth will be missed by his friends and fellow Soldiers in the battalion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Groth family and those that were injured during these difficult times," said Lt. Col. Joseph O'Callaghan, Commander, 3rd  Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment.

Funeral and memorial service information is still pending.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing with teams from the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army CID and the U.S. Army Readiness/Safety Center.

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