CARSON CITY — Nevada Army National Guard Soldiers Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Edwards IV, 41, and Pfc. Cody Allen Hall, 23, were the victims in an apparent aircraft accident involving a Beechcraft T-34 near Boulder City on Sunday. Both soldiers were assigned to Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 3/140th Security and Support unit based at the North Las Vegas Airport.
Neither Soldier was in a military status on Sunday. The aircraft involved was not a military aircraft, nor was it on a military mission. Both Soldiers were traditional Guardsmen who were in civilian status on Sunday.
Edwards, a Las Vegas resident, had recorded 11 years of military service. His military occupation was a helicopter repairer. Hall, a North Las Vegas resident, had just completed his first year of military service. His military occupation was an aircraft electrician.
Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Bill Burks said: “Today is a very somber day for
the Nevada National Guard with the loss of two Army Soldiers who had served the nation and state with exemplary military service. With Nevada Guard units deployed around the world in combat, we remain mindful of the potential for casualties; to suffer two casualties in an accident right here in Nevada is especially shocking and tragic for our organization.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Edwards and Pfc. Hall today. Our Nevada citizens and especially our Nevada Soldiers are our most precious commodity and this is a huge loss for our state and our National Guard.”
The awards, decorations and deployment history of the soldiers will be released shortly.