Army warrant officer found dead at park on base

A recent incident at Joint Base Lewis-McChord resulted in the tragic death of a Soldier with nearly two decades of service.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Hao Y. Li, aged 41, died on July 15, near Shoreline Beach Park at the base.

Li was married and had a young son, whom he reportedly saved from drowning in a heroic act of self-sacrifice.

Following Li’s death, installation officials decided to prohibit swimming in lakes, rivers, and bayfront areas on the base. The measure will remain until at least the end of July as a safety review is conducted.

“Due to the recent drowning of a Joint Base Lewis-McChord service member, all JBLM beaches are closed for recreational swimming until further notice, while a safety investigation is conducted. The safety of our service members and their families is our first and foremost concern. We will reassess the closure at the end of July and follow-up accordingly,” the base’s MWR website states.

Although the Army provides lifeguards at swimming pools, none are stationed at American Lake or other recreational spots on the base.

American Lake, spanning 1.7 square miles between Interstate 5 and Puget Sound, is a favored location for military personnel and their families for day trips.

The body of water also serves as a training site for Special Forces and parachute exercises. A part of the lake is accessible to the public and lays outside the base boundaries.

At the time of his death, Li held the position of property book officer with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion for I Corps.

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Evans, the battalion commander, praised Li as a respected and admired Soldier in a statement released on Monday.

“We feel deep sorrow over the loss of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Li,” Evans said. “His passing is a profound loss to our unit and all those that knew him.”

A Virginia native, Li enlisted in the Army in August of 2005. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and advanced training as a unit supply specialist at Fort Lee, Virginia.

During his career, Li was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he served as a unit supply clerk and supply sergeant, responsible for supporting over 200 Soldiers at forward operating bases.

In September 2015, Li became a warrant officer specializing in logistics. He furthered his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Maryland in May 2019.

Li’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Basic Recruiter Badge.

According to Stars and Stripes, the Army is offering resources and support to Li’s family during this difficult time.

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