FORT STEWART – A 3rd Infantry Division soldier stationed at Fort Stewart experienced an inflight medical emergency enroute to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. Tuesday, and later died at a Texas hospital, according to Fort Stewart officials.

Pfc. Kaleb H. Franklin, 26, assigned to 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, was flying with a group of soldiers to California for a training exercise when his medical emergency began. Unit medical personnel began resuscitation as the air crew made an emergency diversion to Amarillo, Texas. Emergency medical services met the aircraft there and transferred Franklin to a local hospital where he later died, officials said.

 Franklin, an information technology specialist, served nearly three years of active-duty service and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. The unit is in contact with Franklin’s family and is committed to supporting them through this tragic event. 

Col. Ethan J. Diven, commander of the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID said, "Our hearts mourn his unexpected passing, a fellow Spartan with so much potential. We offer our deepest condolences to the family. Our first priority is supporting them as well as the soldiers in his unit and honoring his legacy in our brigade.” 

The cause of death remains to be determined.