FORT HOOD Tx. -- One of the nine soldiers who died in a training accident near Fort Hood this week was a West Point cadet from Indiana.
Cadet Mitchell Alexander Winey, 21, was among those killed Thursday when a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle overturned in Owl Creek in the northeastern part of the Army post. Winey was still attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, scheduled to graduate in 2018.
Winey was born in Valparaiso in 1995 and grew up in Chesterton according to a Facebook post by West Point. He was at Fort Hood as part of Cadet Troop Leader Training according to the Academy. "He was clearly a rising leader in his class and a friend to everyone who knew him," said West Point's Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen. "He internalized the ideals and values of West Point and exemplified them in all that he set out to do."
(3/4) A few years ago, I had the privilege of nominating Mitchell, a Chesterton High School graduate, to West Point. -Joe
— Senator Joe Donnelly (@SenDonnelly) June 5, 2016
Governor Pence ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at state buildings in honor of Winey. "Our heart goes out to Cadet Winey's family, friends, former classmates at Chesterton High School, and all those who knew him," Pence said.
Our heart goes out to Cadet Winey's family, friends, former classmates at @ChestertonHS, and all those who knew him
— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) June 5, 2016
Five of the soldiers were found on Thursday, the others on Friday. Three other soldiers were taken to hospitals and released. Fort Hood is still investigating what caused the accident.
