Posted on 02/04/2012 12:04:55 PM PST by Petruchio
ORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — A 49-year-old brigadier general who died Friday in Afghanistan of apparent natural causes is likely the highest-ranking military officer to die there, according to military records.
Fort Hood announced Brig. Gen. Terence Hildner's death Saturday in a statement posted on its website. Hildner had commanded the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Fort Hood since August 2010. He left for Afghanistan in December to support the NATO mission there.
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God bless him.
Rest in peace, poor fellow.
Other than being in a combat platoon in a remote outpost, I can’t imagine ANY job more stressful than overseeing logistics in Afghanistan.
I agree. RIP my brother in arms. Forty- nine sounds young, but combat ages everyone. I wish civilians understood things like that.
Excellent observation. It must be ghastly.
The 49-year old Commanding Officer of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) died recently running his physical fitness assessment. Dropped dead of a heart attack right after completing it.
He apparently died with his boots on. RIP Terence.
RIP Gen. Hildner
Hilder joined the Army in 1984. He served at Fort Hood in several previous assignments before assuming command of the 13th Sustainment, including commander of the 13th Corps Support Command’s Special Troops Battalion and 2nd Armored Division comptroller and aide-de-camp to the 4th Infantry Division commanding general.
His deployments include one each in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricane Katrina relief, Desert Storm and to West Germany before reunification.
Hildner’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Thank you for your service.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest was rare, up until about 15 years ago (maybe a smidge longer). When I said combat, I didn’t mean to besmirch those who died in combat zones, lost my SIL in Iraq. My only son is joining the Marines, I just found out today. What I meant was, 49 sounds so young in the civilian world where I now work with folks who are living well into their mid to late seventies and beyond. I am sure the General either served in a combat zone, or sent young souls out to combat. That kind of responsibility changes you. Ages, you.
We all handle stressful situations differently, hard to imagine what it’s like to be in the thick of it with your hands tied.
Sadly, This fine chap succumbed to things beyond his control.
RIP General.
and Bless you and your son from a much older kid who joined the Marines in the early 70s straight out of high school, skipped college and somehow survived to be around to thank folks like you and your son for carrying on the tradition of service with honor to one’s country.
Is he going to San Diego or Parris Island for his boot camp? It’s almost 40 years ago for me when I stood on yellow footprints on the road. Good luck.
Rest in Peace sir, and thank you for your service.
God bless them, every one.
Tatt
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