Two Soldiers dead, one injured in off-base vehicle accident

  • Published
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
Kadena Air Base --  Two 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion Soldiers died and one was injured in a vehicle accident May 12 at approximately 5 a.m. in Chatan Town, an Okinawa city outside the base. 

Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Thomas, 25 from West Point, Miss., and Army Sgt. Richard Smith, 27 from Hasting, Neb., were killed when the vehicle they were riding in crashed. Army Staff Sgt. Byron West was driving and has been released from the hospitalized, suffering minor injuries. 

Sergeant Thomas was a six-year Army veteran as a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic. Sergeant Smith was also a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic and enlisted in the Army two years ago, after spending four years in the Marine Corps. In the past, Sergeant Thomas deployed to Kuwait and Sergeant Smith to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism. 

"Today our battalion family has lost two of our own. It is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions, and our hearts and prayers go out to all of the Soldiers, families, and friends who were touched by the professionalism, energy, and warmth of Sergeant Thomas and Sergeant Smith," said Lt. Col. Matthew
Michaelson, 1-1 ADA commander. 

A memorial service for both Soldiers was held Thursday at the base. 

The cause of the accident is under investigation.