Soldier Killed In Montana Parachute Accident ID’d

Military officials have released the name of a soldier who died in a parachute accident at Fort Harrison near Helena.

The Department of Defense identified the soldier Tuesday as Sgt. Francis Campion, of Hollidaysburg, Pa. Campion was a member of the 2nd Battalion 19th Special Forces Group, West Virginia Army National Guard.

The Montana National Guard says the accident happened during training exercises Sunday afternoon. After the accident, Campion was taken to a hospital in Helena and then transferred to Great Falls, where he died of his injuries.

No other details have been released, and an investigation is under way.

Brig. Gen. John E. Walsh, adjutant general for the Montana National Guard, says Campion "paid the ultimate sacrifice while training in Montana preparing to defend the freedoms we all enjoy."

Associated Press