Military Says Minn. Soldier's Death Was Suicide

Military Says Minn. Soldier's Death Was Suicide

Maj. Tad Hervas, 48, of Coon Rapids, was found dead on Oct. 6 at a military base in Basra. At the time, authorities said Hervas was found with a gunshot wound to the head, but they did not say how he was shot or whether they were looking for suspects.

In an e-mail sent Thursday to The Associated Press, a spokesman with the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Command said the investigation was completed in April, and the CID ruled Hervas died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Spokesman Chris Grey did not elaborate.

Lt. Col. Kevin Olson, spokesman for the Minnesota National Guard, said the Army's investigation included forensics and weapons testing, along with an analysis of the circumstances before Hervas' death.

The AP does not routinely report on suicides, but Hervas' death and the mystery surrounding it were highly publicized at the time and the results of the investigation were pending.

Hervas' father, Ned, said shortly after his son died that he was waiting for answers. Ned Hervas, 70, died May 30 and funeral services for him were held Thursday morning, according to local obituaries.

Grey said Ned Hervas had been notified of the results of the investigation.

"It is with a heavy heart that I ask the citizens of Minnesota to remember this Soldier and his family in their prayers," Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, Minnesota's adjutant general, said in a statement.

Tad Hervas was serving in Iraq with the 34th Infantry Division, known as the Red Bulls. He was a military intelligence officer and died just a few days after returning to Basra from a trip home. It was his second tour of duty in Iraq with the National Guard. He served in the Air Force during the Gulf War.

The major was not married and had no children.

In 2009, the Army reported 163 active-duty suicides, the most since 1980, when it started recording those deaths. So far this year, there have been fewer suicides among active duty personnel but more among those not on active duty, according to the Army.

Several studies have linked multiple tours of duty to stress, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The circumstances of Hervas' case are not known.

But Dr. Judith Broder, a psychiatrist and founder of The Soldiers Project, which provides free, confidential counseling to returning troops and their families, said suicides are a growing problem among military personnel, even though the Department of Defense is working to prevent them.

"There is so much stigma attached to getting help for depression or post-traumatic stress disorder ... servicemen and servicewomen are loathe to do so and become increasingly depressed and increasingly hopeless," Broder said.


Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Taylor



Hometown: Bovey, Minnesota, U.S.

Age: 27 years old

Died: October 9, 2009 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit: Marines, Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident: Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Aaron J. Taylor was the type to dive into an interest headfirst, and that's what he did with the Marines.

"He had spontaneous wit and was a very caring individual," said his father, Clifford. "Very intelligent. His goal was to be promoted to gunnery sergeant before his third enlistment. I think he would have made it. It's tough to do."

Taylor, 27, of Bovey, Minn., was killed Oct. 9 by an explosive while on patrol in Helmand province. He was assigned to Camp Pendleton and had previously served in Iraq.

He graduated in 2000 from Greenway High School in Coleraine, Minn., where he played trumpet in a band, wrestled and was a manager for the hockey team. He studied law enforcement at Hibbing Community College before joining the Marines in 2002.

His military work sent him globe-trotting from Spain to Japan and even Vietnam, where he assisted anthropologists recovering soldiers' remains.

"He was just a likable, personable guy. Everyone who knew him just loved him," his father said. "If the Taliban had met him, I'm sure they would have liked him."

Taylor's survivors include his mother; stepfather; brother; half-sister; and his dog, Walnut.

Aaron Taylor was only 19 years-- a fresh graduate from Greenway High School in Coleraine-- when he decided he would become a Marine.  "AAaron just decided that's what he wanted to do, and he just went for it," said Clifford Taylor, Aaron's father who lives in Two Harbors.  

And like anything else in his life his parents say Aaron gave it his all. "He enjoyed every minute of it. he was really dedicated," said Clifford. "He was really confident that they were going to do good over there and they were doing good."

Aaron made Staff Sergeant during his first tour to Iraq and had high hopes of another promotion. In fact, he enlisted with the Marines for a second time, serving in Afghanistan for the past six weeks.

Then on Friday, all of those dreams were shattered.

"Once i recognized their uniforms I knew just knew," Clifford said with his wife Cindy, and son Kyle at his side. "I almost went down."

Three marines showed up the Taylor household on Friday night, baring news no parent wants to hear. Clifford was told his son was killed while serving in the line of duty. He was 27.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Taylor was on foot patrol expecting a bridge for explosives, when he stepped on an IED.

The Taylors' says they find comfort sharing memories and stories of Aaron and feel a true sense of pride-- knowing he served his country to the fullest. They describe the last few days as a nightmare but say they are getting through it, with the support of each other and their friends.

"Everyone that met him loved him. You couldn't help it-- it was just who he was," Clifford said. "He was just a great guy. a good son, and a fine soldier."

A family friend says Aaron's mom, Brianna Anderson, lives in Grand Rapids.

Funeral plans for Staff Sgt. Aaron Taylor are tentative.