Fort Bliss soldier dies while on mission in Eastern Africa

A Fort Bliss soldier has died in Eastern Africa.

Pfc. Jerome B. Swaggart, 25, of West Monroe, La., died Feb. 19 while performing military duties in support Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa mission.

The cause of his death is currently under investigation.

Swaggart, who was not married, enlisted in the Army in 2013 as an infantryman.

Following his initial military schools he was assigned to the 1 st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas in February 2014.

In January 2015, he deployed with Bravo Company, 1-77 AR to CJTF-HOA as part of 4/1 AD’s Regionally Aligned Forces mission with U.S. Africa Command.

“Private First Class Swaggart was one of the best and brightest Soldiers,” in my platoon, said 1st Lt. Stevan Molinar, 1st Platoon Leader, B/1-77 AR. “It’s men like him that made me join and proud to serve (in the Army), and it is the highest honor to have served with him.”

According to Spec. Curtis Lichter, a 1st platoon machine gunner also in Bravo Company, Swaggart was an inspiration to the platoon and could always be counted upon to accomplish any task.

“Whenever I wanted to sit around, Swag was there to tell me to ‘get up, and let’s go do something’,” said Lichter. “He was always in a positive mood, and will be missed and remembered by myself and by all the friends he made in the time we served with him.”