2 National Guard Members Die From CCP Virus, US Military Toll at 19
Two members of the U.S. National Guard have died after contracting the CCP virus, bringing the total of virus-related deaths within the military to 19, according to data from the Department of Defense (DOD).
The DOD noted the deaths of the service members in an updated online chart that keeps track of cases and deaths connected to the military.
Their identities were not immediately revealed, though a Pentagon spokesperson said both were members of the National Guard, one service member was assigned to Alabama, while the second member was assigned to California.
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Austin, who retired from the military in 2016, needs the waiver because of a 1947 law that requires Defense secretaries to be out-of-uniform for at least seven years. Both chambers of Congress need to approve the waiver.
The House approved the measure in a 326-78 vote, with opposition from 15 Democrats and 63 Republicans.
Initial concerns: Lawmakers in both parties initially expressed concern that granting a waiver for Austin would further erode the principle of civilian control of the military, particularly so soon after Congress granted a similar waiver for James Mattis, former President Trump’s first Defense secretary.
Most Democrats have since rallied around Austin, who would be the first Black secretary of Defense if confirmed by the Senate.
Two more coronavirus deaths bring military toll to 17
Two service members died of COVID-19 complications in recent days. (Sgt. Melanye Martinez/Marine Corps) A New York Air National Guardsman and an Ohio-based Navy reservist are among the most recent service members who died of COVID-19 complications in recent days. The airman won’t be identified, per the wishes of the family, New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs spokesman Eric Durr told Military Times on Thursday. The sailor, Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Abdigafar Warsame, 52, passed away at a civilian hospital near his Columbus home, according to a Navy reserve spokesman.