11/4/2001
SSG Adam Thomas Harding died on 4 November 2001, from injuries received on 1 November 2001. SSG Harding and SSG Joseph Vollenberg were assigned to the 702nd Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 191st Ordnance Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Command and SSG Joseph B. Smith was assigned to the from the 3rdSpecial Forces Group (Airborne). SSG Harding, SSG Vollenberg, and SSG Smith were injured in a training accident that occurred on 1 November 2001, while deployed to support the third phase of Operation Focus Relief, a peace enforcement training initiative in Serti, Nigeria. While conducting live firing of light antitank weapons (LAWs), a LAW rocket launched on the firing range failed to explode. They responded to the misfire and were injured when the rocket exploded. SSG Harding and SSG Smith were flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where SSG Harding died due to his injuries. SSG Vollenberg received minor injuries.
*This bio was researched and authored by SGM Mike R.Vining, USA (Retired). Please send any additional information and/or corrections to the author of this bio by email: sgmmvining@gmail.com. The EOD Warrior Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy of the information in bio.