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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 2, 2003

Autopsy shows Schofield major's death was natural

Associated Press

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Preliminary autopsy results show a Hawai'i-based Army officer overseeing summer training of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy died from apparent natural causes, a spokesman said yesterday.

Maj. Gerald Compton, a member of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, was pronounced dead Wed-nesday after being transported from the training site to Keller Army Community Hospital.

Compton, 42, of Sacramento, Calif., was in charge of managing cadets involved in routine training exercises ranging from small-unit tactics to live-fire operations, academy spokesman Maj. Kent Cassella said.

A final autopsy was expected in a few weeks, Cassella said.

"The Broncos of the 3rd Brigade are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of this outstanding leader and soldier," said Col. Richard N. Pedersen, commander of the 3rd Brigade.

Compton, who joined the Army in 1988, is survived by his parents. A memorial ceremony was scheduled for Monday at the academy, Army officials said.