On Friday, the Pentagon identified a Texas Army National Guard soldier who died in Kuwait on Wednesday.
In a statement to American Military News, the Pentagon said Staff Sgt. Timothy Luke Manchester, 34, of Austin, Texas, died in a non-combat related incident in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The Pentagon did not provide details about Machester’s death and the incident is under investigation.
Major Gen. Tracy Norris, the Adjutant General for the Texas National Guard, said, “We are devastated by the loss of one of our own. In this profession, we always know in the back of our mind that this is a possibility, but we hope it never comes to pass. The entire Texas Military Department sends our deepest condolences to Staff Sgt. Manchester’s family and loved ones he leaves behind. We are also keeping his fellow service members in our thoughts and prayers who are still overseas mourning the loss of their brother in arms.”
Manchester was assigned to the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard. Manchester deployed to Kuwait in September 2020, as part of Operation Spartan Shield.
Manchester joined the Texas Army National Guard in 2018 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. His awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Manchester’s death comes days after another Texas soldier, Staff Sgt. Anthony Bermudez, 28, of Dallas, was killed in a vehicle accident on Jan. 13.
Two U.S. Air Force Air Men also died in separate vehicle accidents in Kuwait in September. Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan, 26, died in a single-vehicle crash on Sept. 12. Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Ouellette died in an all-terrain vehicle accident on Sept. 14.
