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Military Identifies Jumper

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By VALERIE KALFRIN and JOSH POLTILOVE

vkalfrin@tampatrib.com jpoltilove@tampatrib.com

Published: January 31, 2009

TAMPA - The Special Operations paratrooper who died Thursday afternoon after landing in a lake at Gadsden Park has been identified as Col. James L. Merchant III, 46.

Merchant began his military career in 1984. He was commissioned in the Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at The Citadel, according to a news release.

Merchant, a Charleston, S.C., native, graduated from The Citadel with a bachelor's of science degree. He was assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command in September 2005 and served as an information operations planner before becoming chief of the Information Operations Division.

He is survived by his wife, Terri Merchant of Valrico; his father and mother, retired Army Col. James L. and Susan Merchant of St. Augustine; and a brother, Robert S. Merchant.

On Friday, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio issued condolences on the city's behalf to U.S. Special Operations Command.

"We have great respect and affection for our men and women in the military," Iorio said in a statement. "We consider MacDill Air Force Base to be an important part of our community. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and the larger family at MacDill."

Military officials announced about 4 p.m. Thursday that the soldier had died at Tampa General Hospital after landing that morning in the lake at Gadsden Park, which abuts the base. The 6th Air Mobility Wing has convened an interim safety board to collect evidence, officials said.

Air Force Capt. Wes Ticer said the soldier was heading to a drop zone on the base. He was not part of the base's parachute-demonstration team, but had jumped to keep his proficiency; personnel with his level of skill are required to complete a certain number of jumps per year, Ticer said.

The soldier landed in the lake about 9:30 a.m. Thursday, after lifting his legs to clear power lines, officials said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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