Government officials are reporting that a New Jersey Army National Guardsman lost his battle to the deadly pandemic coronavirus on Saturday. This is the nation's first military loss of life from the illness officials said.
According to a statement released by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Captain Douglas Linn Hickok had been hospitalized with the virus since March 21.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Hickok, originally from Jackson was also a physician’s assistant. He was not on active duty during the time Gov. Murphy said.
The Department of Defense in January adopted measures to help protect its service members against the coronavirus, including social distancing mandates and the cancellation of certain training activities, said Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.