Paratrooper killed during Fort Bragg training jump

Army Col. Darron L. Wright, an XVIII Airborne Corps soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, died Monday in a parachute accident while conducting an airborne training operation, Fort Bragg officials said.

Posted 8:58 p.m. Sep 23, 2013 — Updated 1:37 p.m. Sep 25, 2013

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Army Col. Darron L. Wright, an XVIII Airborne Corps soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, died Monday in a parachute accident while conducting an airborne training operation, Fort Bragg officials said.

Wright, of Mesquite, Texas, died while conducting a standard jump at Sicily Drop Zone.

"We are deeply saddened by Monday's events and our thoughts and prayers are with his family," Lt. Gen. Joe Anderson, commander of XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, said in a statement. “The XVIII Airborne Corps has sustained the loss of a superb paratrooper and a magnificent officer who served with marked distinction and honor throughout his career.”

Wright, 46, graduated from the University of North Texas in 1991 and was commissioned as an infantry officer through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

Wright’s previous assignments include 1st Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash.; 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.; 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Polk, La.; 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with V device, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, and Senior Parachutist Badge.

Wright is survived by his wife and three children.

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