FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – A 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) soldier was fatally shot during a training exercise on post Oct. 6.
Pfc. Kevin J. Rodriguez, an infantryman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 22, was pronounced dead at about 10:20 a.m. at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital on Fort Campbell.
The incident is under investigation. Lt. Col. Brian DeSantis, public affairs officer for the 101st Airborne Division, said initial indications are that the shooting was accidental.
A native of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, Rodriguez enlisted in the U.S. Army in Oct. 2013, completing one station unit training at Fort Benning, Georgia, as an infantryman. After graduating from training, he was assigned as an infantryman in Co. A, 1st Bn., 187th Inf. Regt., in April 2014.
Rodriguez completed one nine-month deployment with the Rakkasans in June.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Expert Marksmanship Badge.
Rodriguez is survived by his father, Daniel Rodriguez, and his mother, Joan Pino-Caban, both of Paterson, New Jersey.