{"id":49498,"date":"2022-03-16T18:19:03","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T18:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smg.go-vip.net\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/03\/16\/1st-cav-soldier-killed-in-fort-irwin-training-accident\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T04:08:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T04:08:29","slug":"1st-cav-soldier-killed-in-fort-irwin-training-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2022\/03\/16\/1st-cav-soldier-killed-in-fort-irwin-training-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"1st Cav soldier killed in Fort Irwin training accident"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A soldier with the 1st Cavalry Division was killed March 10 following an accident at the National Training Center<\/a> at Fort Irwin<\/a>, California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spc. Joseph M. Meitl Jr. was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, at the time of his death. He was 23 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meitl, who served as an armored cannon crewmember, was participating in an M109A7 calibration firing event when he was struck by a recoiling breech after the system was fired as part of the exercise, according to a preliminary Army incident report. He suffered a severe head injury and was immediately aided by medics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While being transported to the hospital, Meitl stopped breathing, and all attempts to resuscitate him failed, the report stated. He was pronounced dead shortly after.<\/p>\n\n\n\t