Soldier's death at Fort Drum may be a suicide

FORT DRUM — The recent death of a Fort Drum soldier, whose body was found in his barracks room Nov. 25, is being investigated as a suicide, according to Army sources.

The death of Pfc. Tam T. Nguyen, 19, of San Jose, Calif., was still under investigation Monday. He was with the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in August 2008 and arrived at Fort Drum in April. He is survived by his parents.

Pfc. Nguyen's awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Parachutist Badge.

The overall suicide rate of Fort Drum soldiers is the lowest of the six largest Army bases.

Fort Drum has reported two suicides so far in 2009 out of a population of 21,568 soldiers, for a rate of 9.3 per 100,000. Fort Campbell, Ky., had the highest rate, 48.6 per 100,000. A report of a recent speech by an Army doctor outlined the numbers.