May 6th, 2012
05:38 PM ET

Wife: Army captain 'knocked forward' while on Skype session from Afghanistan

A U.S. Army captain in Afghanistan did not indicate any unease when he suddenly fell forward while on a video chat with his wife, who then spotted what appeared to be a bullet hole in a closet behind him, the wife said Sunday.

Susan Orellana-Clark's husband, Capt. Bruce Kevin Clark, died last week while serving in Tarin Kowt, about 85 miles (140 kilometers) north of Kandahar. His wife's account offers new detail about what she saw happen from some 7,500 miles away, while also raising fresh questions as to how he died and why, according to her, it took two hours for anyone to come to his aid.

The wife said in a statement that, when the two were chatting on Skype last Monday, "there was no sign that Capt. Clark was in any discomfort, nor did he indicate any alarm."

Then, Clark was "suddenly knocked forward," the wife said. Orellana-Clark said she saw what she described as a bullet hole behind her husband, as did several other individuals - one of them a military member - who came over and could still see the scene over the continuing Skype session.

"After two hours and many frantic phone calls by Mrs. Clark, two military personnel arrived in the room (in Afghanistan) and appeared to check (Clark's) pulse, but provided no details about his condition to his wife," the statement said.

A U.S. military official with knowledge of the investigation conducted in Afghanistan said no wounds were found on the body. The cause of death is pending while authorities await autopsy and toxicology results, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is still under investigation.

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Filed under: Afghanistan • U.S. • U.S. Army • World
soundoff (11 Responses)
  1. raven

    Two hours?? That poor woman. Makes me so sad. And thank you to all our servicemen and women. And their families.

    May 6, 2012 at 5:43 pm | Report abuse |
  2. banasy©

    OMG!
    That poor woman!
    Unimaginable, the pain she must be feeling...
    My sincerest sympathy and condolences to her and the family...
    And, to echo raven's sentiments, thank you to all our service personnel for their dedication and loyalty.

    May 6, 2012 at 5:51 pm | Report abuse |
  3. raven

    Today, when were out to breakfast, a small group of soldiers were eating at the table next to us. I looked over and said " Hey you guys, thank you for your service to our country." One stood up, took a couple of steps til he was near enough to grab my hand and said "Thank you, maam, for acknowledging my boys, not many people do." I will remember today as long as I live. And THAT is why I always thank them.

    May 6, 2012 at 6:02 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      What a nice gesture!
      We would all do well to take a page out of your book.

      May 6, 2012 at 6:33 pm | Report abuse |
  4. hamsta

    @raven my brother says thats whats wrong with america today.he says noone says thank you.any time i see a veteran i make sure to shake his hand and thank him as a result.

    May 6, 2012 at 7:03 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Pete

    Thank you for that great gesture,they deserve a lot more recognition but people soon forget what's on the line for them,their lives,thanks again ...

    May 6, 2012 at 7:23 pm | Report abuse |
  6. raven

    @hamsta: me too. Is your brother a veteran? If so, thank him from your blog pals. We appreciate them.

    May 6, 2012 at 7:57 pm | Report abuse |
  7. saywhat

    My heartfelt condolences to the family. Not knowing what happened and witnessing it must have been unbearable. We salute all soldiers for the sacrifices they make for the country.
    Hope all come back home soon.

    May 6, 2012 at 8:36 pm | Report abuse |
  8. hamsta

    @raven yes my brother is a navy veteran. i will pass the thanks on.

    May 6, 2012 at 8:47 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Iamrightyouarewrong

    My normal response is indeed WAY off base tonight. Makes many people angry I'm sure.
    MJS

    May 6, 2012 at 11:16 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Jalayneh Keex

    Thank you, I've just been looking for info about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I've found out so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive about the source?

    July 10, 2012 at 10:04 am | Report abuse |
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