New Jersey Guardsman is first U.S. military casualty from coronavirus

The Pentagon announced Monday its first casualty from the coronavirus outbreak, a New Jersey Army National Guardsman.

The deceased troop is Capt. Douglas Linn Hickok, according to a tweet from Gen. Joseph Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau.

"Today is a sad day for the Department of Defense as we have lost our first American service member – active, reserve or Guard – to Coronavirus," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said. "This is a stinging loss for our military community, and our condolences go out to his family, friends, civilian co-workers and the entire National Guard community. The news of this loss strengthens our resolve to work ever more closely with our interagency partners to stop the spread of COVID-19."