Second Army drill sergeant from Alabama found dead at South Carolina base
Published 7:50 pm Tuesday, December 19, 2023
A second drill sergeant from Alabama has been found dead on a South Carolina military base; he was the second Alabama native to be found dead at the base in the past eight days.
Staff Sgt. Zachary L. Melton, 30, a Huntsville native, was found dead, base officials said, in his vehicle on Saturday at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
“We are extremely saddened by the loss of Staff Sgt. Melton,” Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly said. “Our thoughts are with his family and the soldiers of the Always Forward battalion during this very emotional time.”
Officials did not provide a cause of death, but said the matter was under investigation.
Melton’s death was the second Alabama native to be found dead at the base in the last eight days.
Staff Sgt. Allen Burtram, 34, of Cleveland, Alabama, was found dead on Dec. 8, base officials said. Investigators have said they do not suspect foul play in Burtram’s death.