ATEC officer dies in Oklahoma bridge accident

MAJ Andrew F. Clements, 35, was killed May 26 on the way to his new assignment with the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command when his vehicle plunged off an I-40 Oklahoma bridge that had apparently been struck by a river barge. He was being assigned to the Army Evaluation Center Fire Support Evaluation Directorate.

"The Army and the nation have lost a fine soldier in a tragic accident," ATEC Commander MG John J. Marcello said this afternoon. "MAJ Clements had a great military record and we were all looking forward to him becoming a part of the ATEC team. At this time our concern is for his family and many friends, and I offer my heartfelt condolences on behalf of all of ATEC."

He had just received his Master's of Science degree, with distinction, in Systems Acquisition Management from the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey, Calif.

On May 23, he flew with his family to Woodbridge and then returned to California to retrieve the family dog and cat, along with some of the family belongings.

MAJ Clements is survived by his wife, four children, ages 9, 4, 2, and nine weeks; his mother and father; one brother; and a sister.