The Associated Press
Ann Conger (second from left), mother of Pfc. Jesse Conger, looks up during a memorial for her son Thursday at Fort Lewis, along with Jeff Conger (left), father; Rebecca Wilson, fiance; and Judy Conger (far right), aunt.

Conger

Fort Lewis remembers fallen soldier

Conger killed in training exercise

The Associated Press

FORT LEWIS -- Friends of Pfc. Jesse Conger remembered the soldier Thursday as a great guy who always made them smile.

Conger, 22, of Barrington, N.H., was killed March 22 during a training exercise near Yakima when the truck he was riding in rolled over. He was thrown from the truck and died of head injuries. The Army conducted a memorial for him Thursday at Fort Lewis.

Lt. Col. John RiCassi said Conger was the type of soldier every commander wants to have in his unit.

"He was professional and positive about the Army," RiCassi said. "His positive attitude was contagious."

Pvt. Lawrence Aranda, 19, said Conger was like a big brother to him, showing him the ropes in the Army.

"He had a great smile," Aranda said. "It was just awesome."

Pfc. Christopher Notestine said no matter how hard their training got or how lousy the weather was, Conger would always make the other soldiers smile.

"It was good to be out in the field with him," Notestine said.

Conger was an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, where he had been stationed since March of last year.

RiCassi said the nine other soldiers injured in the accident have recovered and returned to duty. He said the rest of the soldiers continued their training in Yakima and completed it this week.

Conger was helping set up a live-fire training exercise when the accident happened, RiCassi said.

The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, Army officials said. Four separate investigations are being conducted.

RiCassi said Conger's death underscores the inherent dangers of being in the infantry.

"It's a tough business," he said. "We take safety seriously."

On the Web:

- Fort Lewis

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to main Home Page Stories index