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Army posthumously promotes air show parachutist

He died after an accident during a jump at the Chicago Air and Water Show Saturday.

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Lt. Col. Matthew Weinrich, the U.S. Army Parachute Team’s commander, said Hood was a dedicated officer who dreamed of being a Golden Knight.

The Golden Knights demonstration team has been put on a “safety stand down” and returned to their base where members will have access to counseling while the Army investigates Hood’s death, Dixon said. “He was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he experienced surgery to calm weight on the cerebrum and was in discriminating condition, as per Donna Dixon, a representative for the Golden Knights”.

Their mission is to “travel around the United States performing at air shows, college and professional sporting events, and other special events in support of Army Recruiting and Public Relations”, according to the Golden Knights website. He loved meeting with the people on the ground and sharing his soldier story.

“Corey was a small kid in size but he had that little chip on his shoulder which is what I look for as a coach”, Fetzer said.

After the accident, in which a Navy jumper was also hurt, the Golden Knights have been on a safety standdown at their home station on Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

All performances by a U.S. Army skydiving team have been suspended during an investigation into the accidental death of one of its members with local ties.

Hood, 32, of Cincinnati, Ohio, wanted to be a soldier since childhood, and was “proud to serve his country”, his stepfather, Wayne Mills, told the Chicago Tribune. Through this stunt, parachutists drop with reddish smoke trailing from boxes after which they split.

Hood collided with the Navy jumper and was knocked unconscious, causing an “uncontrolled offsite landing”, according to the AP.

The other parachutist arrived on a close-by shoreline and has been dealt with for a broken leg.

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During his military career, Hood received numerous awards and medals, including two bronze stars.

Parachutist, Lakota West grad, dies of injuries