대한민국 오산 공군기지-제35방공포여단은 “12월8일 야외훈련을 마치고 수원 공군기지로 복귀하는 호송임무 수행중 17번 고속도로에서 교통사고로 사망한 미군의 신원을 확인했다”고 13일 밝혔다.

사망자는 미국 캘리포니아주 플래이서빌 출신 에릭 C. 쉥크(Sgt. Eric C. Schenck) 병장(33)으로 제52방공포연대 6대대 본부중대 의무부사관이다.

► 故 에릭 C. 쉥크 병장(33)

쉥크 병장은 유가족으로 캘리포니아 알라모 출신의 모친 조안M.쉥크, 캘리포니아 서머셋출신의 부친 찰스 J. 쉥크 그리고 아들 2명이 있다.

리처드 W 라이트 35방공포여단 사령관(대령)은 “해외에서 근무할때 부대는 가족과 같습니다. 드래곤여단도 마찬가지입니다. 12월7일 우리는 형제중 한명을 잃었고 그 고통은 잊혀지지 않을 것입니다. 부대원 전체가 쉥크 병장의 빈자리를 느낄 것이며 그의 죽음을 슬퍼할 것입니다”고 말했다.

그는 이어 “우리는 또한 쉥크 병장의 친구와 가족들에게 깊은 애도를 표합니다. 그를 우리의 마음에 영원히 담겠습니다”고 밝혔다.

쉥크 병장은 2009년에 미 육군에 입대한 뒤 2012년 아프가니스탄 파병을 거쳐 2017년 1월부터 한국에서 근무했다.

교통사고 원인은 현재 조사중이다.

한편 쉥크병장의 상훈 사항은 아래와 같다.

Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, the Army Driver and Mechanic Badge and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification

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OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea –The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade has identified the Soldier who died Dec. 8 along Interstate 17 from injuries suffered from a motor vehicle accident when his convoy was returning to Suwon Air Base from a field training exercise.

Sgt. Eric C. Schenck, 33, of Placerville, California. Schenck was a healthcare noncommissioned officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd ADA Regiment. He is survived by his mother, Joanne M. Schenck of Lake Almanor, California, and his father, Charles J. Schenck of Somerset, California, and his two sons.

“When you serve overseas, units are like Families, and the Dragon Brigade is no exception. We lost one of our brothers on December 7, and the pain is going to hurt. The loss of Sgt. Schenck will be felt throughout the entire formation and collectively we will mourn his loss,” said the 35th ADA Brigade Commander, Col. Richard W. Wright, Commander, 35th ADA Brigade.

“We also extend our deepest condolences to all Sgt. Schenck’s friends and family back home. We will continue to keep those closest to him in our thoughts and prayers.” 

Schenck joined the Army in 2009, deployed to Afghanistan 2012 and has been stationed in South Korea since January 2017.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Schenck’s awards and decorations include the: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, the Army Driver and Mechanic Badge and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge.