Spc. John Michael De Leon was a 31-year-old combat medic assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery at the 18th Field Artillery Brigade, Army officials said in a Dec. 12 press release. Photo courtesy of XVIII Airborne Corps.
A Fort Bragg soldier was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing a road on post Friday, Dec. 9.
Army officials said Spc. John Michael De Leon was a 31-year-old combat medic assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery at the 18th Field Artillery Brigade.
Capt. Thomas Sujack, commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, remembered De Leon as a model teammate.
“Selfless, enthusiastic, dedicated, and an outstanding teammate are just a few characteristics that describe Spc. John Michael De Leon,” Sujack said, according to an Army release. “As we mourn the loss of our teammate, we remember and honor him as the exceptional father, husband, son, Soldier, and combat medic he was.”
A sign near the front gate of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. US Army photo.
De Leon was originally from San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Heidi, and two children.
“We are forever fortunate to have had him on our team for the past 2 years,” Sujack said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.”
De Leon was walking at the intersection of Knox Street and Honeycutt Road when he was struck by a vehicle around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, according to XVIII Airborne Corps officials. The intersection sits along a relatively undeveloped area of base that connects base housing neighborhoods with central parts of Fort Bragg.
De Leon died from injuries sustained in the accident, which is under investigation.
Col. Jon Harvey, commander of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade, which is known as the Steel Brigade, also remembered De Leon.
“He was an instrumental part of our Steel Family, and his loss is felt by all of us,” Harvey said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this tragedy, especially so close to the holiday season.”
De Leon enlisted in the Army as a combat medic in 2019, according to a press release.
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Jenna Biter is a staff writer at Coffee or Die Magazine. She has a master’s degree in national security and is a Russian language student. When she’s not writing, Jenna can be found reading classics, running, or learning new things, like the constellations in the night sky. Her husband is on active duty in the US military. Know a good story about national security or the military? Email Jenna.
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