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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Department of Defense has formally identified the soldiers who perished in a Black Hawk helicopter crash, including a young Kelseyville man whose family was notified last week.
Sgt. Richard Essex, 23, a 2008 graduate of Kelseyville High School, was among the 11 who died in the crash, which occurred northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan last Thursday, Aug. 16, as Lake County News has reported.
Essex was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
His family is planning a military service for him on Saturday, Sept. 1, at Kelseyville High School.
“Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of our fallen heroes,” said Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller, commanding general, 25th Infantry Division. “Although the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade family has suffered a huge loss, they still continue their mission with the utmost
courage and resolve.”
The cause of the crash is under investigation, the Army reported.
Essex was the gunner on the Black Hawk, according to his aunt, Mayme Dyslin of Kelseyville.
His family reported being notified last Thursday afternoon by military officials.
The Black Hawk also was carrying three other members of the Army, three members of the Navy, three members of the Afghan national security forces and an Afghan civilian interpreter, the Department of Defense reported.
Other Army 25th Infantry Division members on the Black Hawk were Chief Warrant Officer Brian D. Hornsby, 37, of Melbourne, Fla; Chief Warrant Officer Suresh N. A. Krause, 29, of Cathedral City, Calif.; and Sgt. Luis A. Oliver Galbreath, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, military officials reported.
The Department of Defense identified the Navy members who died in the crash as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Petty Officer Technician 1st Class Sean P. Carson, 32, of Des Moines, Wash., assigned to an explosive ordnance disposal mobile unit in San Diego; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, 28, of Edgewater, Md., assigned to a West Coast-based naval special warfare unit; and Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class David J. Warsen, 27, of Kentwood, Mich., assigned to a West Coast-based naval Special warfare unit.
The Army report said Essex joined the Army July 1, 2008, and became a wheeled vehicle mechanic on Nov. 23, 2008.
Dyslin recalled that her nephew had always wanted to go into the military.
He was on his second deployment, according to the Army. Dyslin said he was due to return home in November.
The Army said Essex’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Aviation Badge and the Drivers Badge.
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