Fredericksburg Service Woman Dies In Iraq

A 19-year-old combat medic died after suffering injuries in a non-combat incident in western Iraq on Friday.

Spc. Morganne M. McBeth, of Fredericksburg, Va., was injured in Khan Al Baghdadi and died Friday in Al Asad, according to the military announcement made Saturday. Details of the circumstances surrounding her death were not yet released.

McBeth belonged to the 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg.

"McBeth had a positive impact on all the paratroopers within the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion and will be dearly missed," brigade commander Lt. Col. Douglas Stitt said. "She was always quick with a smile and looked after her fellow paratroopers with keen diligence and respect."

McBeth joined the Army in July 2008 and was assigned to Fort Bragg in February 2009. She was deployed to Iraq last August after undergoing basic and advanced individual training.

"SPC Morganne McBeths vivid smile and attitude were contagious," Lt. Abraham Medina Jr., a phyiscian's assistant who served with McBeth, said in a statement. "Regardless of how rough your day may have been, if Morganne entered the room, you were going to smile. Her spunky character and selflessness will be remembered by all who were privileged enough to have met her.

"Morganne treated all of her patients with unsurpassed compassion, regardless of their injury or illness severity," added Medina.

McBeth's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Basic Parachutist Badge.

She is survived by her father, Leonard McBeth, and her stepmother, Sylvia McBeth.

A memorial in her honor will be held in Iraq.

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