Posted on 06/08/2019 6:17:37 AM PDT by robowombat
Cadet killed in West Point vehicle accident was star wrestler from New Jersey
By LEONARD GREENE , KERRY BURKE and ELIZABETH KEOGH | NEW YORK DAILY NEWS | JUN 07, 2019 | 6:56 PM
Christopher Morgan, the West Point cadet was killed when a tactical vehicle overturned on a dirt road at the upstate military reservation. (West Point)
The West Point cadet killed when a tactical vehicle overturned on a dirt road at the upstate military reservation was a star wrestler from New Jersey, military officials confirmed Friday. Christopher Morgan, 22, was a standout wrestler West Orange High School before enrolling in the U.S. Military Academy in Highland Falls.
“He was on honor roll, he won multiple awards, he was studying law," his uncle Courtney Morgan told the Daily News. "He was doing everything you’re supposed to do, and he was doing it well. “CJ was absolutely a gentle giant."
Morgan graduated from the New Jersey school in 2015, and was a member of West Point’s class of 2020.
He finished in fifth place in the 182-pound class at the state Wrestling Championships in 2015 after a season that included a 30-1 record with 20 pins.
Morgan was a Law and Legal Studies major, and a recruited athlete who was a standout member of the Army Wrestling Team. “We are devastated by the news of Chris’ passing. He was a talented, hardworking, and determined athlete who loved his sport,” said Army West Point wrestling coach Kevin Ward. “Chris had an infectious personality with a smile big enough to fill any room, and a heart big enough to love everyone around him. He made everyone around him better and he will be greatly missed.”
In this photo taken from video provided by NBC New York, a light medium tactical vehicle sits overturned near the Camp Natural Bridge summer military training camp off Route 293 on Thursday in Cornwall, N.Y. In this photo taken from video provided by NBC New York, a light medium tactical vehicle sits overturned near the Camp Natural Bridge summer military training camp off Route 293 on Thursday in Cornwall, N.Y. (AP)
Morgan was killed when the tactical vehicle operated by two soldiers flipped over on a fire break road around 6:45 a.m. Thursday, West Point officials, said. Others on the vehicle suffered non-serious injuries ranging from cuts and scrapes to one broken arm.
“I’m still in denial, I’m still in shock,” said Morgan’s devastated uncle. " I have to remind myself that this isn’t a dream.”
The loaded tactical vehicle was headed to a land navigation site as part of standard summer cadet training, according to West Point superintendent, Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams.
The Corps of Cadets was expected to hold a vigil to honor Morgan Friday night. A memorial ceremony for the West Point community and private funeral service will be held at the academy next week. “Cadet Morgan was a valued member of the Corps of Cadets and will be missed by all,” said Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, the academy’s superintendent. "The entire community is ensuring that our cadets are being cared for physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Morgan family.”
Hard to kick out of that
No Reversal
MRAP = High center of gravity = roll over easily
Very sad. Rest in Peace great American.
You’ve set a new low bar for classless.
A quick look at the photograph shows that it didn’t just flip over it ended up in the bottom of a gully so it went off the road and probably rolled several times before it came to rest at the bottom of that gully.
He also attended west point prep. Thats why he is class of 2020. His younger brother is set to attend west point
Aggressive, wrestler, and West Point go together. This stuff happens in training.
It’s a shame to lose a good kid. I pray for his family.
Very sad.
BS biggly. Vehicles rollover when driven beyond their limits. We are hearing very little about the conditions or the driver. Were they farting around, or just what? I’d be going after the driver and wanting a real investigation unlike what Mr. Mueller has perpetrated on the American people. Is the interior separated from the driver, or were the cadets aware of what was going on up front?
The family if anyone should want to know.
His family must be devastated. Sounds like he was a really good kid with a great future, but God has other plans for him.
Go with God young warrior.
If you train to be a soldier, you train for war. No snowflakes allowed
I don’t know Christopher Morgan, but I think I would have liked him if I did
God bless him and his family
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