A decorated United States Army general died in a single-engine plane crash on Monday, according to reports.
Maj. Gen. Anthony Potts, 59, piloted the Piper PA-28 Cherokee airplane when he crashed in Havre de Grace, Maryland — less than 75 miles outside of Washington, DC, Military.com reported.
Potts was the sole passenger in the aircraft and was declared dead at the scene, Harford County Fire & EMS announced.
“Maj. Gen. Potts completed over 36 years of distinguished service,” Bryce Dubee, an Army spokesperson, told the outlet. “The entire US Army is grateful for his service, and we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the entire Potts family.”
Investigators have yet to determine what led to the crash, the outlet reported on Friday.
Potts was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1987, becoming an aviation officer in the Army upon earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Murray State University.
He piloted an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter early in his military career before — later becoming a combat instructor for the aircraft later on in his career.
The general had been stationed in conflict zones during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
The Maj. Gen. commanded a 1,600-person team at Aberdeen Proving Ground in the Old Line State — a research facility developing upgraded body armor, weapons, and network technology, according to the outlet.
The father of two had recently announced his retirement as a Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T).
Potts’ received the Legion of Meritt, a Bronze Star, and an Air Medal with Valor Device, which is awarded for showing an act or acts of heroism by an individual above normal expectations while in direct combat with an enemy.
Potts is survived by his wife of 17 years, Jennifer, and his two children, Taylor and Cynthia.
Potts’ death comes days after three US Marines were found dead in a car at a North Carolina gas station on Sunday morning.
They were discovered in a four-door sedan parked outside a Speedway convenience store in Hampstead, about an hour’s drive from Camp Lejeune.