The 101st Airborne Division soldier whose body was recovered in a Fort Campbell, Kentucky, creek has been identified as Spc. Dhaifal Ali, officials said Wednesday.
Ali, 34, was swept away by strong currents Friday. Emergency personnel found his body Tuesday after an intensive five-day search. He was found about 500 meters from the area from which he was initially swept away, at the low water crossing over Little West Force Creek on Fort Campbell. Ali was off duty with two other soldiers from his unit when the incident happened, according to local media reports.
Ali was from Arlington, Texas. He was assigned to the 372nd Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade.
Ali joined the Army in March 2013 and trained to become a motor transport operations specialist. He had been assigned to Fort Campbell since February.
His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
The incident is still under investigation.
Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.
