Indiana National Guard Soldier Dies in Non-Combat Incident in Iraq

The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced the death of Captain Eric Richard Hart, 34, of the Indiana Army National Guard, who died in Iraq on December 28 from a non-combat-related incident.

Hart, a native of Indianapolis, was serving as a quartermaster officer with the Headquarters Battalion of the 38th Infantry Division in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The DOD has not disclosed further details regarding the nature of the incident.

Capt. Hart served for 11 years in the Indiana National Guard, commissioning as a second lieutenant in 2015 after completing officer candidate school at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was a decorated officer, receiving multiple awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal.

Hart was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a Combined Joint Task Force initiative aimed at defeating ISIS and building lasting security cooperation with partner nations.

The Indiana National Guard expressed condolences in a statement: “The Indiana National Guard extends our heartfelt and sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Capt. Eric Hart, who died in a non-combat incident while overseas serving with the 38th Infantry Division in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Our thoughts are with them and the soldiers who worked and served alongside Capt. Hart. He was an integral part of our team and the Cyclone Division team as well. He will be missed.”

Capt. Hart’s death is the latest non-combat-related fatality among U.S. service members deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In recent months, similar incidents have occurred, including the deaths of two Georgia National Guard soldiers in Baghdad and an airman from the 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron in an undisclosed location.

Approximately 4,500 U.S. troops are deployed across Iraq and Syria under Operation Inherent Resolve, with at least 2,500 stationed in Iraq, according to recent Pentagon reports. These troops provide advisory and support roles to local forces combating ISIS and maintaining regional stability.