WAVY.com -- WINTERVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- A National Guardsman from North Carolina has died in Kuwait from a non-combat related cause, the Department of Defense said Tuesday.

Sgt. Darry Benson, 46, of Winterville, N.C., died Sunday, in Camp Virginia, Kuwait. Benson, who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, was assigned the Army National Guard's 730th Quartermaster Battalion in Ahoskie.

His death is under investigation.

WVEC.com -- An Ahoskie, NC-based soldier has died in Kuwait.

The Department of Defense said Sgt. Darry Benson, 46, of Winterville, N.C., died on Aug 27, in Camp Virginia, Kuwait.

Officials said he died "of apparent natural causes" but didn't elaborate. He was pronounced dead at the Troop Medical Clinic Sunday morning after fellow soldiers reported that he was non-responsive.

Benson was assigned the Army National Guard's 730th Quartermaster Battalion, Ahoskie, N.C.

The incident is under investigation.

A military funeral will be held at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church 2921 Briery Swamp Road, Stokes NC 27884 with burial following in Brown Cemetery, Engelhard NC.

The nearly 60 Soldiers of Sgt. Benson's unit were mobilized in late April to provide command and control for base operations at Camp Virginia.

A statement released by his family said, "We the family of Darry Benson would like to thank everyone for their support during this time of our grieving. He was a very humble and lovable person and all who met him new they could trust him. He will be truly missed, he was our best friend."

MILITARY CAREER:

Sgt. Benson was a 15-year military veteran with 4 years in the North Carolina Army National Guard starting in 2002. His awards and decorations include five Army Achievement Medals, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

This was Sgt. Benson's second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. He previously deployed to Iraq with A Company, 230th Support Battalion, 30th Brigade Combat Team in 2004 as Heavy Equipment Transport truck driver.

"Sgt. Darry Benson was an outstanding Soldier; he served his country and his state of North Carolina with honor," said Lt. Col. George F. Robinson, III, Commander, 730th Quartermaster Battalion. "He believed in his country, a patriot. He was a true gentlemen and a good friend to all the soldiers in the 730th."