Eight Ft. Wainwright based soldiers are charged in connection with the death of a fellow Stryker Brigade member. The men are facing an array of charges related to the death of Private Danny Chen of New York City. Chen was found dead of a gunshot wound in a guard tower at a forward operating base in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on Oct. 3. The most serious charges include involuntary manslaughter, assault and negligent homicide.
In October, Private Chen’s parents told NBC news they did not believe their son took his own life and that the Army informed them he had been racially taunted by fellow soldiers and once beaten by a group of 6 superior officers. Chen, a Chinese American, joined the Army last January and arrived at Ft. Wainwright in May. He deployed to Afghanistan in August as a replacement in the First Stryker Brigade combat team.
An Army investigation into the circumstances surrounding Chen’s death is ongoing. The Army is not releasing any details and declined interview requests.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
