Louisiana Guardsman Deployed to Syria Dies After Non-Combat Incident

The specifics surrounding the incident are still under investigation, according to a statement from the Pentagon.

By Steve Beynon

A Louisiana National Guard soldier who was deployed in Syria died this week, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

First Sgt. Casey Hart, 42, of Baton Rouge, died Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, after a noncombat-related incident at Al-Tanf Garrison, Syria, on May 9.

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The specifics surrounding the incident are still under investigation, according to a statement from the Pentagon. WAFB 9, a Baton Rouge news outlet, reported that Hart went into cardiac arrest while running last month.

A Louisiana Guard spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hart was assigned to the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based out of Lafayette, Louisiana. He was also a 14-year veteran of the Baton Rouge Police Department.

"As a dedicated member of the United States Army National Guard, he not only served our community, but he served our country honorably for many years," Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said in a statement. "[He] passed away yesterday due to an illness while on deployment with the National Guard."

Hart is survived by his wife and daughter, according to Paul.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.