MARYLAND, UNITED STATES: On July 24, tragedy struck as Major General Anthony Potts, a decorated United States Army general, lost his life in a single-engine plane crash. As per the Military.com report, the incident occurred in Havre de Grace, Maryland, which is situated less than 75 miles outside of Washington, DC.
Potts was piloting the Piper PA-28 Cherokee airplane at the time of the crash, and he was the sole passenger in the aircraft. Emergency responders from the Harford County Fire & EMS arrived at the scene and declared him deceased.
‘Potts completed over 36 years of distinguished service’
As of July 28, the cause of the crash remains undetermined, and investigators are actively looking into the circumstances that led to this tragic accident. The news of his untimely passing has left the military community and the nation mourning the loss of a highly respected and accomplished leader. Potts' contributions and service to his country will be remembered and honored.
Bryce Dubee, an Army spokesperson, said, “Major General Potts completed over 36 years of distinguished service. The entire US Army is grateful for his service, and we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the entire Potts family." Potts left behind his wife of 17 years, Jennifer, and their two children, Taylor and Cynthia.
This unfortunate event occurred shortly after the discovery of three deceased US Marines at a gas station in North Carolina. The Marines were found in a four-door sedan parked outside a Speedway convenience store in Hampstead, approximately an hour's drive from Camp Lejeune.
Potts was lieutenant and aviation officer
In 1987, Potts received a commission as a second lieutenant and joined the Army as an aviation officer after obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Murray State University. Initially, he piloted an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, and later in his career, he transitioned to becoming a combat instructor for the same aircraft.
Throughout his service, Potts was stationed in conflict zones during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. One notable command role he held was leading a 1,600-person team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, a research facility in Maryland, focusing on the development of upgraded body armor, weapons, and network technology.
Recently, Potts had announced his retirement as a Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T). Over the years, he earned several prestigious awards for his valor and heroism in direct combat with the enemy, including the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, and an Air Medal with Valor Device.
