FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., June 12, 2017 – The Department of Defense announced the death of three 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Soldiers who died Saturday, June 10, 2017, from wounds sustained in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
The three Soldiers have been identified as Cpl. Dillon C. Baldridge, 22, of Youngsville, North Carolina, Sgt. Eric M. Houck, 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Sgt. William M. Bays, 29, of Barstow, California.
The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” deployed in the fall of 2016 in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
“Today, as we grieve, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Cpl. Baldridge, Sgt. Houck and Sgt. Bays. We take this as a family loss,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell. “In the days ahead, the 101st Soldiers and the Rakkasans will continue the fight against terrorism with unbridled determination. Our Soldiers are battle-hardened and committed to the defense of our nation and the freedoms for which we fight.”
Baldridge was an infantryman in Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell. He was assigned as a squad leader who joined the Army in February 2013 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2016. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three oak clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Expert Infantryman Badge.
Baldridge was posthumously promoted to Sgt. and earned the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster for his end of tour awards.
Bays was an infantryman in Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. He was assigned as a Squad Leader who joined the Army in August 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2014. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Assault Badge and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.
Bays posthumously earned the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster for his end of tour awards.
Houck was a forward observers in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell. He was assigned as a Fire Support Sergeant who joined the Army in May 2013 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2016. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Air Assault Badge.
Houck posthumously earned the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge and Army Commendation Medal with a second oak leaf cluster for his end of tour awards.
No other details are being released at this time as the incident is currently under investigation.
