An Indiana Army National Guardsman deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve died Saturday in a non-combat incident, Defense Department officials announced Monday.
Capt. Eric Richard Hart, 34, of Indianapolis, Indiana, died on Dec. 28, according to a brief release.
The Pentagon did not provide additional details regarding Hart’s death, which is currently under investigation.
Hart was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 38th Infantry Division, of the Indiana National Guard in Indianapolis.
“The Indiana National Guard extends our heartfelt and sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Capt. Eric Hart who died in a non-combat incident while overseas serving with the 38th Infantry Division in support of Operation Inherent Resolve,” the Indiana National Guard said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with them and the soldiers who worked and served alongside Capt. Hart. He was an integral part of our team and the Cyclone Division team as well. He will be missed.”
Hart was a quartermaster officer for the 38th Infantry Division, according to the Indiana National Guard. He commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2015 from the officer candidate school at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, among others.
Editor’s note: This report has been updated with additional information about Hart’s service record and a statement from the Indiana National Guard.
Beth Sullivan is an editor for Military Times. Previously, she worked as a staff reporter for The Daily Memphian and as an assistant editor at The Austin Chronicle.
