Suicide of Danny Chen

Danny Chen
Army portrait of Chen
Born(1992-05-26)May 26, 1992
New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 3, 2011(2011-10-03) (aged 19)
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
Other namesChén Yǔhuī (陳宇暉)
EducationPace University High School
Alma materBaruch College, CUNY
OccupationUnited States Army
Parents
  • Yan Tao Chen (father)
  • Suzhen Chen (mother)
Suicide of Danny Chen
DateOctober 3, 2011 (2011-10-03)
LocationKandahar, Afghanistan
TypeSuicide by gunshot
DeathsDanny Chen, aged 19
Convicted
  • Adam Michael Holcomb
  • Ryan J. Offutt
  • Travis Carden
  • Andrew J. Van Bockel
ChargesHolcomb:

Offutt:

  • Hazing
  • Mistreatment (2 counts)

Carden:

VanBockel:

  • Hazing
  • Dereliction of duty
  • Maltreatment of a subordinate
VerdictHolcomb:
Guilty of assault, not guilty on remaining charges
Offutt and Carden:
Pleaded guilty
VanBockel:
Guilty
SentenceHolcomb:
30 days in jail, $1,100 fine
Offutt:
Bad Conduct Discharge
Carden:
10 months in prison, plus Bad Conduct Discharge
VanBockel:
45 days in jail, plus 15 days of hard labor

Danny Chen (simplified Chinese: 陈宇晖; traditional Chinese: 陳宇暉; pinyin: Chén Yǔhuī; May 26, 1992 – October 3, 2011) was an American U.S. Army soldier who served during the War in Afghanistan. His suicide resulted in a military investigation and charges against eight US soldiers, ultimately with four being court martialed.

The investigation found that Chen had been "racially harassed, teased, bullied, and mercilessly beaten" by his fellow soldiers before he committed suicide on October 3, 2011.