A decorated soldier based at Fort Liberty died in a fiery plane crash over the weekend in North Carolina, the Army confirmed Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Jason Campbell, 43, was one of five people killed when a single-engine plane crashed at the Wright Brothers National Memorial First Flight Airport in Kill Devil Hills, said Lt. Col. John Twitty, spokesperson for the Army’s Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command.
The plane was trying to land at the airport when it crashed into a wooded area nearby and caught fire, according to the National Park Service. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.
Campbell, a native of Texas, was assigned to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, located at Fort Liberty, N.C. He was the program manager for the Civil Affairs Military Government Specialist Program, advising and assisting commanders and civilians in providing governance expertise.
Campbell had about 19 years of active-duty service. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
His awards and achievements include a Bronze Star, a National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, two Merit Service medals and three Army Achievement medals.