Two soldiers were found dead in their vehicles in separate incidents in Alaska over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the Army said in statements this week.
Spc. Isaiah Nicholas Oneal, 22, was discovered dead in Fairbanks on Friday. The body of Sgt. Miles Jordan Tarron, 30, was found in Anchorage on Sunday.
Foul play is not suspected in either death, the Army said Tuesday. No details on the circumstances of the deaths were released.
Oneal’s death is being investigated by the Alaska State Troopers and the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
The Anchorage Police Department and Army CID are investigating Tarron’s death.
Tarron, from Indianola, Oklahoma, was a specialist in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons with the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the Army said.
He joined the Army in October 2016 and trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before reporting to Alaska in March.
He was “a disciplined paratrooper” and “a dedicated husband, father and friend,” Lt. Col. Justin Pritchard, commander of the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion, said in a statement.
Tarron deployed to Afghanistan from September 2017 to March 2018 and to Kuwait from January to May 2020 while stationed at Fort Bragg.
His awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Action Badge.
Oneal, from Tyner, North Carolina, was an Army wheeled-vehicle mechanic with the 25th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, at Fort Wainwright, the Army said.
He joined the Army in November 2017, trained at Fort Bragg and reported to Alaska in May.
“Isaiah was a dedicated soldier and we continue to grieve, while also cherishing the memories had with him,” Lt. Col. William Bennett, commander of the 25th Brigade Support Battalion, said in a statement. “We ask that all Arctic Wolves to check on their fellow soldiers and families and to look out and take care of each other during the holidays.”
Oneal’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
The deaths closely follow that of another Fort Wainwright-based soldier, Sgt. Christian Joseph D’Andrea, 22, who was found dead in his off-post home in Fairbanks on Nov. 12.