U.S. Army soldier Jaggert Oakes, then a private first class, trains in Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 27, 2021. (Christopher Hammond/U.S. Army)
SEOUL, South Korea — A 22-year-old soldier stationed at Camp Humphreys was found unresponsive in his barracks Wednesday and later pronounced dead, according to the 2nd Infantry Division.
Spc. Jaggert Oakes, of Barberton, Ohio, was a human resources specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd ID Sustainment Brigade, the command said in a news release Friday.
Oakes was pronounced dead at 10:23 a.m. Wednesday at Humphrey’s Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital, according to the release.
No criminal activity is suspected but the base’s Criminal Investigation Division is looking into the death, the release said.
Oakes was stationed in South Korea for less than a year, division spokesman Maj. Taylor Criswell said by phone Friday. Criswell declined to elaborate on the death, citing the ongoing investigation.
The 11th Engineer Battalion is “deeply saddened by the loss,” battalion commander Lt. Col. Brent Kinney said in the release.
“Spc. Oakes leaves behind a profound impact of friendship and camaraderie felt by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him,” he said. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers as we mourn this loss together.”
Oakes enlisted in the Army in January 2019, according to the release. His awards include two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
Spc. Jaggert Oakes, 22, of Barberton, Ohio, was a human resources specialist stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. (U.S. Army)
Roughly 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea, most of them at Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base overseas and about 40 miles south of Seoul.
The base is the headquarters for 2nd ID and other major commands, including U.S. Forces Korea, Eighth Army, U.N. Command and Combined Forces Command.
