 channel 24 news
June 14, 2005
Napoleon Soldier Dies in Training Accident
Email to a Friend Printer Friendly Version
(Fort Campbell, KY, and Napoleon, OH) --- Pvt. 1st Class Gregory B. Wertz, 19, of Napoleon, died Wednesday as a result of injuries sustained during a training exercise.
The Ohio soldier was shot during convoy live-fire training, according to Army public affairs officials. Pfc. Wertz, 19, was assigned to A Company, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
The Army says the incident is under investigation and no further details are available at this time.
"I'm very proud of my son, very, very proud," says Larry Wertz, the soldier's father.
Larry is proud of his son's strength, determination and proud of his love.
"He has a heart, he has a big heart," Larry tells NBC24. "He has feeling down deep."
Pfc.'s Wertz's father felt a variety of feelings Thursday morning. His wife called him at work telling him to rush home.
"I was going through the list okay," Larry says. "Chris is in Columbus, he's fine. Greg's at Fort Campbell, so I was caught off guard."
He was caught off guard because Greg died while training for war. Army officials say he was shot in the chest during a shooting range exercise Wednesday.
"It was supposed to not happen here," the father says. "He was being trained to go to Iraq."
Pfc. Wertz had three months left of training before his scheduled deployment in October. His father had his last face-to-face with his son just one week ago when Greg was home on leave.
"Wednesday when he was here we talked and he was ready," Larry tells NBC24.
The young Army soldier was ready but his father, on the other hand, had reservations.
"I'm a father, I'm a parent," Larry says. "It bothered me but this is what he wanted to do. He knew the risks and he was willing to take the risks."
Larry Wertz says Greg was your typical teenager who enjoyed football, soccer and basketball.
Funeral arrangements for Pfc. Wertz are pending.
Heather |