A Twentynine Palms woman was among nine soldiers killed Thursday when their light vehicle overturned in a training exercise during severe flooding in Texas. Specialist Christine Faith Armstrong, 27, of Twentynine Palms entered active-duty military service in February 2014. She was assigned to Fort Hood that September. According to a release from Fort Hood, they were training aboard a 2 ½-ton Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, when it overturned along the 20-mile long Owl Creek, about 70 miles north of Austin. Three soldiers were rescued and treated at a hospital. The bodies of the other soldiers were recovered over the next two days. Fort Hood said -quote- “The circumstances of the accident are unknown at this time and [the accident] remains under investigation.” All but one of the victims, a cadet, were assigned to the third battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, second Armored Brigade Combat Team and first Cavalry Division in Fort Hood. The names of 8 of the 9 victims were listed as Armstrong, Staff Sgt. Miguel Angel Colonvazquez, Pfc. Brandon Austin Banner, Pfc. Zachery Nathaniel Fuller, Pvt. Isaac Lee Deleon, Pvt. Eddy Raelaurin Gates, Pvt. Tysheena Lynette James and Cadet Mitchell Alexander Winey. Those eight received the Army Service Ribbon, the release of the ninth soldier’s identity is pending next of kin notification. Christine Armstrong’s awards and decorations include a National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
