ATLANTA — The U.S. Army has identified a Ranger who died in an apparent parachuting mishap as a 21-year-old from Massachusetts.

Pfc. Christopher P. Dona was found dead Thursday with parachute cords wrapped around his neck during a training exercise at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fatality. Army officials said they are investigating the incident.

The combat veteran was a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment based at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. Lt. Col. Robert Harman called Dona an excellent Ranger "who consistently displayed great courage and strength — a true warrior."

Dona was from Dudley, Mass. He returned from his first deployment to Afghanistan last month.