JBLM soldier dies Saturday in apparent drowning. An investigation is underway

A soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord has died in an apparent drowning.

Spc. Xavier Chambers died Saturday. KIRO-TV reported Chambers was swimming at Shoreline Park on base at the time.

Chambers was taken to Madigan Army Medical Center but was pronounced dead, according to I Corps public affairs officer Col. Joey Sullinger.

Chambers, who was 21-years-old, was assigned to the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command at JBLM. In a statement provided Tuesday to The News Tribune, 53rd Transportation Battalion commander Lt. Col. Melinda Acuna highlighted the value Chambers added to the team.

“Spc. Xavier T. Chambers was a valuable member of our Tusker family. He was a promising Soldier, filled with raw potential and a will to serve his country honorably,” Acuna said. “As a member of our team, Xavier was motivated and charismatic. His loss comes too soon; we will forever be grateful for the time and the impact he had on our formation.”

There is an investigation underway by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division.

This story was originally published June 29, 2022 at 5:00 AM.