DONA ANA BASE CAMP, N.M. (AP) — About 1,000 soldiers combed rugged terrain in sweltering heat Tuesday, searching for a 19-year-old soldier last seen walking into the desert after he left a note on his bunk declaring he would not return.
"I have some things to take care of. I won't be coming back," read the note from Spc. John R. Fish, according to Col. Dick Francey, commander of the soldier's Fort Hood-based brigade.
Fish was reported missing Monday after he failed to show up at a morning roll call at this desert training range about 30 miles northwest of the main post at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas.