Michigan Soldier Among 2 Found Dead At Fort Bragg Wednesday

MICHIGAN — One of two people found dead this week at Fort Bragg in North Carolina was a soldier from Michigan.

Master Sgt. William J. Lavigne II, 37, was one of the two people found Wednesday afternoon in a Fort Bragg training area, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Army Friday. He previously resided in Gladstone, Michigan, according to records.

“The loss of a Soldier is always tragic,” Lt. Col. Justin Duvall, commander of HHC, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, said in a statement. “Master Sgt. Lavigne dedicated himself to the Army for 19 years and deployed multiple times in the defense of our Nation. Our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.”

The second body was a veteran who previously served at Fort Bragg, officials said in a news release.

Lavigne enlisted in the Army in 2001. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2007 and was deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism while assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the army said.

Lavigne was awarded several medals and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal with V device; Bronze Star Medal (second award), and Meritorious Service Medal.

Special agents with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command are looking into the deaths, officials said. No cause of death has been released for either person, but Fort Bragg officials said the deaths were not related to training, according to The Associated Press.

No further information was released by officials.