Drill sergeant Sgt. Zachary L. Melton Death; Identified As Victim Found Dead At Fort Jackson,

Publish date: 2024-03-24

Another Fort Jackson drill sergeant has died on the fort in eight days. After missing work Saturday, December 16, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment drill sergeant Staff Sgt. Zachary L. Melton, 30, was found lifeless in his car by unit members.

He was pronounced deceased by Emergency Medical Services after the Directorate of Emergency Services arrived.

“We are extremely saddened by the loss of Staff Sgt. Melton,” Fort Jackson commanding officer Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly said. “We are thinking of his family and Always Forward battalion soldiers during this very emotional time.”

Unit members receive military chaplains and behavioral health services. His unit’s freshest trainees graduated on December 14 and were on break.

Melton was a drill sergeant on Fort Jackson for three years after 10 years in the Army. The Army Commendation Medal with C device, Army Commendation Medal (3 times), Army Achievement Medal (2 times), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and NATO are among his awards.

Melton’s reported residence was Huntsville, Alabama.

The fort stated that soldiers, veterans, and family members can call the Military Crisis Line/Veterans Crisis Line at 988, chat at veteranscrisisline.net, or text 838255 for help after the death.

The second drill sergeant this month and the third fort employee this year has died.

After missing work, 34-year-old Staff Sgt. Allen Burtram was found dead on December 8. The US Army Criminal Investigation Division is investigating that case, although officials deny foul play. Burtram, a 12-year Army veteran, has been at Fort Jackson for 18 months.

Staff Sgt. Jaime Contreras, 40, was found deceased in a training exercise in June. An Army drill sergeant candidate, Contreras served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. He was in week eight of 10 of drill sergeant training.

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