MichaelMoore.com

Neenah soldier's death still remains a mystery to family

By Kate McGinty / Post-Crescent

NEENAH, WI — The U.S. Army remains tight-lipped about the November death of a Neenah soldier who was due to be discharged this month.

Sgt. James McDonald, 26, was found dead the morning of Nov. 12 in his barracks at Fort Hood, Texas.

Army officials still are silent about how McDonald, an armor crew member, died.

"That death investigation is still open. To protect the integrity of our investigation, I will not be releasing any details at this time," said Chris Grey, a spokesman for the Army Criminal Investigation Command.

Grey, who said the Criminal Investigation Command investigates all soldiers' deaths regardless of circumstance, declined to say whether he has McDonald's autopsy and toxicology reports.

Despite regular contact with Army officials, McDonald's family also has been kept in the dark, said Duane McDonald, an uncle and family spokesman.

The family, who earlier this month visited with McDonald's fellow soldiers at Fort Hood as they returned from duty in Iraq, hasn't received any answers, he said.

"We're still kind of playing the waiting game," he said. "They keep us updated and, of course, we're calling and asking as well."

McDonald, who had been in the military five years, was injured in a May roadside bomb blast in Iraq and returned to Fort Hood. He received the Purple Heart for the injuries he suffered. He had been taking a variety of medications because of a head injury, his family said.

The 26-year-old, who expected to leave the Army this month, planned to return to the Fox Cities and pursue a career as a firefighter.