Lt. Col. Roderick Vinson, assigned to Army Central Command, died Aug. 11, 2024, while exercising, the service announced. (Egypt Johnson/U.S. Army)
A decorated soldier assigned to Army Central Command died Sunday while exercising, the service announced Tuesday.
The Army released no other details about Lt. Col. Roderick Vinson’s death, only stating no foul play was suspected. It was unclear Tuesday where he died. Vinson, 55, was a transportation officer assigned to the Army Central Command at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C.
“The ARCENT family is devastated by the untimely passing of Lt. Col. Roderick Vinson, a beloved member of our team and an incredible leader in the organization,” Col. Jason Squitier, U.S. Army Central’s deputy chief of staff, said in a prepared statement.
Vinson’s death is being investigated by the Sumter Police Department. Army Central Command and the Sumter police could not be reached immediately Tuesday for additional comments.
Vinson, a native of Charlotte, N.C., has been assigned to the Army Central Command since 2018. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987 as a fighting vehicle infantryman. He was commissioned as a transportation officer in July 1999.
His awards and decorations include the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the NATO Medal, among others.
“He left an enormously positive impact on every person with whom he interacted, and we miss him dearly,” Squitier said. “We send our condolences to his family and friends, and our prayers are with them during this difficult time.”