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Snakebite Killed Special Forces Trainee From Pasco

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The Associated Press

Published: September 18, 2008

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The Army says a Special Forces trainee from Pasco County found dead this summer during a land navigation exercise in North Carolina was bitten by a poisonous water moccasin, also known as a cottonmouth.

The military said Wednesday that the autopsy of 20-year-old Pfc. Norman M. Murburg of Dade City ruled out heat or dehydration as a cause of death. Murburg was bitten multiple times while training at the Hoffman training area, near Fort Bragg's Camp Mackall.

Soldiers began searching for Murburg when he didn't return from the exercise. His body was found June 10. Authorities met with Murburg's family to explain the autopsy results.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Csrnko, who commands the Army's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, said the death reinforces the dangerous training for Green Beret candidates.

Three months ago, Army officials said Murburg didn't return from a 10-hour land-navigation test that ended at 1 a.m. June 9 in the Hoffman Training Area, about 50 miles west of Fort Bragg. About 475 soldiers searched for him until his body was found June 10.

Army officials said Murburg had water in two of his canteens and had used none of his emergency equipment.

All soldiers participating in the test carry more than nine quarts of water and safety equipment, including a whistle, a strobe light and a reflective belt attached to their pack. Murburg did not activate his tracking device or use his flares, Maj. Sonny Leggett said.

During the test, soldiers are required to find several points in the pine forest that surrounds the base using only a map and a compass. The test is part of the Army's Special Forces Assessment and Selection training, the first step in becoming a Green Beret. Officials said Murburg located his first point but failed to find the remaining points or assembly areas.

During a memorial service June 19 in San Antonio, the 2005 Pasco High graduate was praised as a young man of integrity who wanted to serve his country and died doing something he believed in.

His father, Norman Murburg, said his son died "in the process and with the goal of becoming a better man."

Murburg's burial was at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Information from Tribune staff was used in this report.

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