U.S. soldier killed in vehicle crash in Kuwait

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense said First Lt. Jeffrey D. Cooper died from a non-combat-related injury in Kuwait while supporting the U.S.-led coalition operation against the Islamic State.

Twenty-five-year-old Cooper, of Mill Creek, Wash., died Saturday after a vehicle rollover occurred while traveling from the Camp Buehring U.S. military base to the Ali Al Salem Airfield. An investigation into the incident has been launched, the Pentagon said Sunday. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

Cooper joined the U.S. Army in 2013 and arrived in Fort Campbell in 2015. He was a decorated infantry soldier -- receiving the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal.