Deaths at West Point, Naval Academy, etc. are at regular Hazing Deaths Pages, 1838-Present
Sept. 27, 2024 Update: Death in 1929 added tl ist today. Hank Nuwer, Moderator
1929
New Jersey National Guard
Sea Girt, New Jersey
Head injury
The traditional blanket toss of Private Philip Rosen of Paterson ended in tragedly when he slammed his head on the ground, the concussion killing him. The death brought an order top down to cease the initiation.
1932
Navy Hazing
Crossing the Line ceremony
Hazing with electricity
Seaman Russell Barnwell Wiebye died in “a playful initiation” in which an electric current was administered to shock him.
1945
Military Hazing
Crossing the Line ceremony
Electrocution
Shipfitter 2C Jack P. Jarosz died while touching an electrified trident during the King Neptune portion of his hazing for the U.S. Navy, according to the San Bernardino (CA) County Sun (April 3, 1946). He was also kneeling on an electric plate charged with 115 volts of electrical charge. No surprise: A lieutenant was cleared of wrongdoing by Navy Brass. See Richmond Palladium Item, October 3, 1946.
1960
Military Hazing
Dunking ceremony for new National Guard member
Drowning
SPL 4C Walter R. Van Vickle screamed “I can’t swim” as five veterans stripped him and threw him into deep water. The five were charged with involuntary manslaughter. The National Guard declined to order a court martial for the five.
1967
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Unofficial Officers Club initiation
Alcohol-related suffocation death
An alcoholic concoction made up of seven bottles of champagne and five bottles of vodka resulted in the death of paratrooper Lt. Ronald Greer Reeves, 23, of Charleston, S.C. His comrades were initiating him during a so-called “Prop Blast” to celebrate his first qualified jump. As a result, General Harold Johnson, Army chief of staff, issued orders for close observation during any initiations in which liquore is part of the “festivity.” Johnson said alcohol during initiations “lost their purpose and sometimes result in tragedy.” Reeves was listed as: 2d Lieutenant – Battery B, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 82d Airborne Division. Reeves was a graduate of Clemson University.
The young man’s death was condemned in the Congressional Record.
It also was condemned by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.
However, Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor and General Harold K. Johnson. deplored the death but claimed initiations”serve a useful role in developing esprit and a sense of unity within military units.”
1986
5th Regiment, Royal Artillery, Dortmund, West Germany.
Alcohol overdose during initiation
On November 15, 1986, new recruit Gunner Anthony Savage, 18, stopped refusing to drink and guzzled a concoction of spirits from a size 15 boot. When he agreed to drink a stupendous amount of alcohol from a size 15 boot and nearly collapsed, all thought it was “normal” and no one called for assistance. He perished in the barracks of the 5th Regiment, Royal Artillery, Dortmund, West Germany. No one intervened, including his superior, as he chugged from a size 15 (U.S.) boot.
Lance Bombardier Colin Warner filled the boot with varieties of hard liquor. The coroner called those who caused his death “irresponsible” but refrained from recommending criminal charges.
2011
United States Marines
Hazing Suicide after mental and physical abuse.
Lance Corporal Harry Lew was a suicide by a self-inflicted wound after fellow Marines punished him for falling asleep on sentry duty. A judge punished participants but found cause to doubt that the hazing was directly responsible for Lew taking his life. Adam Holcomb was found not guilty.
2011
United States Marines
Suicide after Physical hazing
Chinese-American Danny Chen allegedly was targeted for hazing in his outfit and killed himself.
2016
United States Marines
Muslim dies following reports of heavy hazing
Recruit Raheel Sidiqui death reported by New York Times Magazine.
2017
Green Beret,
Involuntary homicide during a hazing punishment session
Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar, a Green Beret, stopped breathing while being taped and beaten by comrades in Mali. The first was sentenced in June 2019 to one year in prison. One perpetrator later behaved in a creepy manner with the widow. Thank you to Lt. Col Dan for your correction.