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Hoyer: Guard member who died in training accident lived “the Army values”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The member of the West Virginia Army National Guard killed in a training exercise Wednesday wasn’t a West Virginian but he chose the West Virginia Guard.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Sheperty

State Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Hoyer released the name of Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Sheperty in a Thursday evening news conference.

Sheperty, 36, a resident of Baltimore City, Md., was a member of the Kingwood-based 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He died in a parachuting exercise in Suffolk, Va. Wednesday afternoon.

Hoyer said Sheperty chose the WV Guard in 2010 because of its special forces and its reputation.

“The special operations community across the DOD (Department of Defense) is small and Nick came from Marines Special Operations so I think he was drawn to West Virginia because of the reputation of our special forces and because of the West Virginia National Guard,” Hoyer said.

Sheperty was a decorated member of the military before he joined the Guard as a traditional Guardsman. According to Hoyer, Sheperty’s career began in 2002 and included time as a Green Berets. He was later in the Marine Corps Special Operations Command. He served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His service awards included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon and NATO medal.

“This is a guy who didn’t have to be doing what he was doing (Wednesday). He’d served his time. He served his country well. He had served in multiple combat zones but I think it’s a testament to the type of person he was,” Hoyer said choking back tears.

The investigation into what happened is ongoing. Hoyer said they do know there was not an equipment malfunction.

“Being a member of a special forces unit and a high-altitude parachutist is exceptionally dangerous business,” Hoyer said. “Those guys do it knowingly and willingly because they believe it’s in the best interest of their families and their country.”

Gov. Jim Justice and U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito all issued statements expressing sadness and support for Sheperty and the National Guard.

Hoyer said the best way to honor Sheperty is to follow his example.

“Nick Sheperty lived the Army values in a world and a country that sometimes has lost its focus on values,” Hoyer said. “Those values for the Army are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.”

Sheperty was a native Virginian. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.





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