82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper Sustains Fatal Gunshot Wound on Fort Bragg

An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died of a fatal gunshot wound on Fort Bragg last Thursday according to news just released by the public affairs office.

The cause of death is currently under investigation; however, foul play is not suspected.

Spc. Donovan Batterson, 21, of  Lodi, Calif., was an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

Batterson joined the Army in June 2010.  He attended Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. before reporting to 1st Battalion, 508th PIR in October 2010. Batterson served one combat tour in Afghanistan, from February 2012 to September 2012.

Batterson’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Parachutist Badge.