Army Veterinarian From Holly Springs Dies in Iraq

Holly Springs, N.C. — The family of an Army veterinarian from Holly Springs who died Sunday in Iraq is waiting for word from an autopsy this week on what happened, they said Tuesday.

The Army had announced that Capt. Michael S. Fielder, 35, was injured in a non-combat-related incident. Military officials said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death was ongoing, and the family said in a statement that it had not been given any details.

An autopsy was to be performed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the Fielders said.

Holly Springs officials on Wednesday ordered all flags in town to be flown at half-staff through Friday in Fielder's honor.

Fielder, who received his veterinary medicine degree from North Carolina State University,  cared for military working dogs, his family said. He had attended NCSU's College of Veterinary Medicine on an Army scholarship, and he was due to be discharged in November, the family said. He had joined the military in June 2000.

They said he had planned to go into private practice.

A memorial service for Fielder will be held in Iraq on Saturday. Details for a memorial service in North Carolina had not been finalized, officials said.

Fielder wife, Mary, and the rest of his family said they were organizing a vet school scholarship in his honor.