One of the men found dead at a Fort Bragg training area this week was a Special Forces soldier, officials with U.S. Army Special Operations Command said Friday.
Master Sgt. William J. Lavigne II, 37, was assigned to the command’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
Army veteran Timothy Dumas, 44, of Pinehurst, was identified as the second person.
Officials said Dumas previously served at Fort Bragg. The two bodies were found in a training area on post Wednesday, Fort Bragg officials said previously.
The causes of death are being invested by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
“The loss of a soldier is always tragic,” said Lt. Col. Justin Duvall, commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “Master Sgt. Lavigne dedicated himself to the Army for 19 years and deployed multiple times in the defense of our nation. Our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.”
Officials said Lavigne enlisted in the Army in 2001.
In 2007, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course and was subsequently assigned to the 1st Special Forces with a follow on assignment to U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
Lavigne deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism while assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command, officials said.
Among the courses he graduated from were: the Basic, Advanced and Senior Leader courses; Army Basic Airborne Course; Army Jumpmaster Course; Military Free Fall Parachutist Course; Military Free Fall Parachutist Jumpmaster Course; Special Forces Intelligence Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School; Tagalog Special Operations Language Course; and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Lavigne’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal with V device; Bronze Star Medal (second award); Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (second award); Army Achievement Medal (third award); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal (fifth award); National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two campaign stars); Iraq Campaign Medal; Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (third award); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Army Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantry Badge; Combat Action Badge; Basic Parachutist Badge and the Master Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge.
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