Courtney D. Finch dies 'of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident'

Investigators are trying to learn the cause of death of Sgt. Courtney Dean Finch, a Kansas Army National Guardsman, who died earlier this week in Iraq, officials with the Kansas Adjutant General's Department said Thursday night.

Asked whether any cause of death had been eliminated, Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the state adjutant general, said the Kansas soldier hadn't died as a result of combat.

"We all want to know" the cause of death, Bunting said.

Sharon Watson, spokeswoman for the Kansas adjutant general, said the U.S. Department of Defense is investigating how Finch, 27, of Leavenworth, died. An Associated Press report said Finch died in Qayyarah of injuries from a noncombat incident. He was assigned to the Topeka-based 714th Security Force, Kansas Army National Guard.

A statement issued by the Adjutant General's Department said Finch, a soldier for six years, died Monday of "unknown causes."

While he was in Iraq, Bunting said he briefly met Finch.

"I saw him when he was in-country (Iraq) and know he was well thought of," Bunting said.

"I'm saddened to learn of the loss of Sgt. Finch, who has served his country bravely," Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement Thursday. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his fellow soldiers."

"The sacrifices our soldiers make for their country are tremendous, and I grieve for each family who receives this kind of unfortunate news," Bunting said. "I am so grateful for the service of Sgt. Finch and will pray for his family as they go through this difficult time."

Finch, who had been trained as a tank crewman, was assigned to the 714th Security Force, a company-sized unit providing escort protection for dignitaries and escorting convoys carrying "anything and everything" in Iraq, Bunting said.

Finch enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in July 2001 with Company C, 1st Battalion of the 635th Armor, in Lenexa as a tank crewman. He completed basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training in Fort Knox, Ky. Finch wasn't manning a tank while assigned to the 714th Security Force.

Finch deployed with the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor, to Kosovo in support of Operation Task Force Falcon and the U.S. NATO commitment in the Balkans from October 2004 to February 2006. Before going overseas, the security force had undergone training at Camp Shelby, Miss.

Soldiers in the security force are from Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota, according to an earlier statement issued by the adjutant general's office.

Finch had been deployed to Iraq for less than a year, Watson said.

Finch had received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and the German Army Marksmanship – Silver.

From the Capital Journal

A Leavenworth soldier died last week while serving in Iraq, bringing a tragic story heard nightly on the news a little closer to home.

Finch was born June 8, 1980 in Baldwin, Wis. In July 2001, he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard with Company C, 1st Battalion 635th Armor, Lenexa, as a Tank Crewman. He completed his Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Advanced Individual Training in Fort Knox, Ky.

Finch had more than six years of military service. He deployed with the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor to Kosovo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as part of Task Force Falcon and the United States NATO commitment in the Balkans from October 2004 to February 2006. In June 2006 he deployed with the 714th SECFOR to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where they are currently providing force protection.

His awards include Army Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and the German Army Marksmanship - Silver.

Surviving family include his father David Finch; mother Anne Suckow; sisters Joy Jursch and Suanne Gardner; grandmother Penny Cooksy, step-grandmother Joan Lindquist and several other family members. A brother, Spencer Martin Finch, died earlier.

From the Tonaganoxie Mirror