S.D. Guard soldier dies in non-combat incident

RAPID CITY – The South Dakota National Guard received notice today of the death of another soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Cory W. Brooks, age 32, of Philip, died Saturday as a result of a non-combat related incident.  Brooks was a member of Detachment 1, Company A, 153^rd Engineer Battalion of Winner. Brooks was single and is the son of Darral and Marilyn Brooks of Philip.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” said Gov. Rounds on the incident.  “We ask that all South Dakotans keep Cory and his family in their prayers.”

Brooks joined the National Guard in May of 1989 and was a combat engineer throughout his 15 years of service.  He was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in September of 1999.  

Details of the incident are still under investigation.  His family has been notified and the South Dakota National Guard is providing assistance in this time of extreme tragedy.  

This is the second death within the South Dakota National Guard in a week.

Last Saturday, April 16, Spc. Dennis Morgan, 22, of Valentine, Neb., was killed when an improvised explosive device exploded near his M-113 armored personnel carrier while providing security during route clearing operations in Iraq.  

The 153^rd Engineer Battalion was mobilized on December 7, 2003 and deployed to the Middle East on February 21, 2004.

FOR MORE INFORMATION – Contact Major Harold J. Walker at (605) 737-6721, (605) 431-8753 or SFC Donald Matthews at (605) 737-6234, (605) 391-6631 or Mr. Roger Anderson at (605) 737-6268, (605) 391-8197.