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Schofield soldier dies in Iraq

A Hawai'i-based soldier who was the senior enlisted man in his Schofield Barracks unit has died in Iraq, the Pentagon said yesterday.

Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Moore Jr., 43, of Waycross, Ga., died Friday at Contingency Operating Base Speicher of injuries suffered in a noncombat-related incident.

He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

Moore's was at least the sixth noncombat-related death of a Hawai'i military member since early February and the third death of a Hawai'i-based military member this month.

The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation, the Army said.

Noncombat deaths can be the result of natural causes, vehicle or other accidents, friendly fire, homicide or suicide.

The 3rd Brigade has now suffered three combat and three noncombat-related deaths in Iraq since the unit deployed last October and November.