FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas – Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) officials have released the name of a Soldier who died of an apparent gunshot wound Oct. 12 at the Williamson-Bell County line.
Master Sergeant Alva Joe Gwinn, 39, whose home of record is listed as Richwood, West Virginia, entered active-duty military service in September 1999 as a combat engineer and was assigned to 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos), since April 2012.
Gwinn deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from January to August 2003, from April to December 2004, from March 2010 to March 2011 and from March to November 2013. He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to November 2006.
Gwinn’s awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, seven Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, five Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachute Badge, Driver and Mechanics Badge, Marine Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle and Sapper Badge.
The incident remains under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
