The Navajo Nation is calling for the U.S. Army to launch an investigation after a Navajo soldier died at Fort Hood earlier this week.
Private Carlton Chee, 25, a resident of the Navajo Nation, collapsed and died after physical fitness training on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Navajo Nation Council recognized Chee alongside other Navajo soldiers, who are five times more likely to enlist in the armed forces than the general public.
"Our hearts are heavy today with the news of Private Carlton Chee's passing," Council Delegate Jamie Henio said. "Our young Navajos continue to serve at the highest rates per capita in the country, and when we lose one of our honorable warriors, the entire Nation feels that pain."
Navajo Council Speaker Seth Damon called on Army officials to conduct a full investigation into Chee’s death.
"Our young Navajo warriors who choose to continue the valorous legacy shared by our Navajo Code Talkers deserve the greatest assurances from our military leaders that their service is not in vain," Damon said.
Chee is one of 28 soldiers who have died at the troubled Texas Army post this year. The Army says it will launch an investigation into the management and leadership at Fort Hood. A tank crewman, Chee joined the Army in February and had been assigned to Fort Hood since July.
