Noncombat Baghdad incident kills former Alaskan just short of return (James R. Worster)

FORT CARSON, COLO. -- An Ohio soldier who grew up in Alaska died in a noncombat incident in Iraq, three weeks before he was due to return to the U.S., his mother said.

Sgt. James R. Worster, 24, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, died Monday, the Defense Department said Tuesday. No details of the incident in Baghdad were released, but the military said it was under investigation.

Worster was based at Fort Carson and assigned to the 43rd Area Support Group's 10th Combat Support Hospital.

His mother, Donna Thornton of North Pole, said Worster wanted to become a doctor after serving in the Army. His career choice was influenced by the death of his father, Richard Malcom, to hepatitis C six years ago, Thornton said.

She said Worster enlisted in the Army in part because of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"He didn't want to see us attacked again," she told the Rocky Mountain News.

Thornton said her son had spoken of helping children who had been shot.

"He was glad he was there for them and comforted them, and he was glad he was there for his soldiers," she said.

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