A Terrible Tragedy - 9 Soldiers drowned at Fort Hood, Texas

A terrible tragedy occurred in the morning hours of June 2, 2016, at Fort Hood, Texas. 

Nine American soldiers lost their lives in a tragic accident. 

The soldiers were conducting small-unit convoy operations training when their vehicle overturned at a flood-ravaged creek with 12 soldiers on board. Three were rescued by other soldiers in a nearby vehicle. 

Tragically deceased are:

Yingming Sun

Spc. Yingming Sun, age 25, from Monterey Park, California. Yingming Sun entered active-duty service in October of 2013 as a motor transport operator and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since August of 2014. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Miguel Colonvazquez

Staff Sgt. Miguel Angel Colonvazquez, age 38, from Brooklyn, New York. Miguel entered active-duty service in July of 2003 as a motor transport operator. He was with the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment since May 2011. He deployed to Iraq from September of 2005 to September of 2006 and again from May to November of 2011. He also deployed twice to Afghanistan. His awards and decorations include five Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, two Korea Defense Service Medals, and three Overseas Service Ribbons.

Christine Armstrong

Spc. Christine Faith Armstrong, age 27, from Twentynine Palms, California. Christine entered active duty in February of 2014 as a motor transport operator. She was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment since September of 2014. Her awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Brandon Banner

Pfc. Brandon Austin Banner, age 22, from Milton, Florida. Brandon joined the Army in March of 2014 as a motor transport operator. He was with the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment since July 2014. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Zachery Fuller

Pfc. Zachery Nathaniel Fuller, age 23, from Palmetto, Florida. Zachery entered active duty in November of 2015 as a motor transport operator. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment since April. His awards and decorations include a National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Isaac Deleon

Pvt. Isaac Lee Deleon, age 19, from San Angelo, Texas. Isaac entered active-duty service in November of 2015 as a motor transport operator. He was with the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment since April. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Eddy Gates

Pvt. Eddy Raelaurin Gates, age 20, from Dunn, North Carolina. Eddy entered the Army in December of 2015 as a motor transport operator, arriving at the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment in April.  His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Tysheena James

Pvt. Tysheena Lynette James, age 21, from Jersey City, New Jersey. Tysheena joined the Army in November of 2015 as a motor transport operator, arriving at the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment in April. Her awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Mitchell Winey

Cadet Mitchell Alexander Winey, 21, from Valparaiso, Indiana. Mitchell was a member of the United States Military Academy Class of 2018, assigned to Company B, First Regiment. He reported to West Point on July 2, 2014. He was at Fort Hood for training.

The comrades of these fallen soldiers are in mourning for their lost sisters and brothers. They will be forever remembered.

The loved ones of these fallen comrades will forever mourn them. 

Oceans of tears will be shed for them, without ceasing. 

Thank you for your service to your country, Yingming, Miguel, Christine, Brandon,

Angels of God, pray for these men and women who
we have lost and who we will forever mourn.

Zachery, Isaac, Eddy, Tysheena and Mitchell. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty. They are the unspoken heroes of the modern era. 

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

Pray for their loved ones who have suffered an unspeakable loss.

Pray for all who die young. They barely had a chance to live. 

Pray that all of these fallen soldiers are in Heaven. Pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen.