By EXPRESS STAFF
An Idaho Army National Guard member from Mountain Home died Wednesday in Kirkuk, Iraq, from non-combat-related injuries, the Department of Defense announced Thursday. Staff Sgt. Virgil R. Case, 37, died June 1 in Kirkuk, Iraq. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 145th Support Battalion, 116th Brigade Combat Team, Mountain Home.
Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Tim Marsano said Case's death is "under investigation," and any further details will come from Army public affairs officials.
Case is survived by his wife Claudia and four children.
"There was never a man loved by his family as much as Virgil Case was," a family spokesperson said. "He was a loving father and husband who lived for his family. There are no words that can express how much he will be missed. He will never be forgotten. He proudly served in the Army National Guard."
Prior to being deployed with the 116th Brigade Combat Team last year, Case was a fullt-ime Idaho Army National Guardsman who worked at the 145th Support Battalion's Mountain Home armory.
"We are saddened at the loss of Staff Sgt. Virgil Case," said Maj. Gen. Larry Lafrenz, Idaho adjutant general. "His valiant and dedicated service to our state and nation will long be remembered. Sergeant Case was a true professional who lost his life while defending the rights and freedoms that have been the hallmark of our country for over 229 years. All Idaho National Guard soldiers and airmen grieve his loss and extend to his family our heartfelt prayers and condolences."
Staff Sgt. Virgil R. Case
