Bragg medic dies in Iraq

FORT BRAGG -- A 19-year-old combat medic with the 82nd Airborne Division died Friday of noncombat injuries in western Iraq.

Spc. Morganne McBeth had served two years as a health care specialist with the Fort Bragg-based Army unit, according to an 82nd Airborne Division news release.

Hailing from Fredericksburg, Md., McBeth joined the Army on July 9, 2008, and entered basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. She arrived at Fort Bragg on February 25, 2009, and was deployed to Iraq on Aug. 17.

McBeth received the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

She is survived by her father, Leonard McBeth, and her stepmother, Sylvia McBeth. A memorial in her honor will be held in Iraq.