A soldier in the North Dakota National Guard who served two tours in Iraq died while kayaking Thursday on Lake Sakakawea near Lewis and Clark State Park.
Sgt. John Drange, 35, was reported missing in the morning, and searchers found his body later that day. Authorities say no foul play is suspected in his death, according to a National Guard press release.
Drange enlisted in the Army in 1998 and served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a petroleum supply specialist. He was discharged as a sergeant and joined the National Guard in 2008.
"We are extremely saddened to learn of the recent death of one our National Guard members," State Guard commander Maj. Gen. Dave Sprynczynatyk said in a statement. "The condolences of our entire North Dakota National Guard family go out to John's family in this time of sorrow and we salute his military service to our nation, state and communities."
Drange's medals include the Army Commendation Ribbon; Army Achievement Medal (4 Awards); Army Good Conduct Medal (2 Awards), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2 Awards), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (with 1 Service Star); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon; and the Army Service Ribbon.
In the National Guard, he earned the North Dakota National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon (2 Awards); North Dakota National Guard Service Ribbon; and the North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., April 23, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in his native Williston, North Dakota. Interment will follow in Williston at Hillside Memory Gardens.
Lake Sakakawea is a man-made reservoir in northwestern North Dakota created when Garrison Dam was built into the Missouri River in 1956.
