West Point grad, linebacker dies after battling cancer

A former linebacker at the United States Military Academy died Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer, according to West-Point.org.


First Lt. Josh Powell graduated from West Point in 2013 and was serving as a platoon leader in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, which is part of the 101st Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, a spokesman for the Fort Campbell, Kentucky-based unit said. Powell received his Ranger tab after graduation.


The Kentucky native played for the Black Knights in 2010, when the team won the Armed Forces Bowl. He died three days after the Black Knights beat the Midshipmen at the Army-Navy football game in Baltimore on Saturday.

Powell, 27, and his wife, Fabi, were married in November. He was released from the hospital in order to attend, according to West-Point.org.



"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and his brothers and sisters who served beside him," said a statement on the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's Facebook page.



Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at [login to see] .