U.S. officials announced on Tuesday that an Army lieutenant colonel died suddenly while exercising on Sunday in Sumter, South Carolina.
In a Tuesday press release, U.S. Army Central identified Lt. Col. Roderick Vinson as the Army soldier who died suddenly on Sunday. While Army Central did not release details regarding Vinson’s death, military officials revealed that they did not suspect any foul play contributed to the soldier’s death.
In Tuesday’s press release, Col. Jason Squitier, deputy chief of staff for U.S. Army Central, said, “The ARCENT family is devastated by the untimely passing of Lt. Col. Roderick Vinson, a beloved member of our team and an incredible leader in the organization.”
U.S. Army Central explained that 55-year-old Vinson worked as a transportation officer with Army Central Command at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. Military officials have not yet revealed the exact location where Vinson died on Sunday; however, U.S. Army Central said the lieutenant colonel’s death is currently under investigation by the Sumter Police Department.
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According to U.S. Army Central, Vinson was a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and first enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 11M, Fighting Vehicle Infantryman in 1987. In 1999, Vinson was commissioned as a transportation officer.
U.S. Army Central noted that Vinson was a decorated soldier. Throughout his military service, Vinson was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the NATO Medal, along with multiple other awards.
“He left an enormously positive impact on every person with whom he interacted, and we miss him dearly,” Squitier said in Tuesday’s press release. “We send our condolences to his family and friends, and our prayers are with them during this difficult time.”
