Remebering Ten Heroes - Soldiers Killed in the Philippines

On February 21, 2002, an MH-47E Chinook helicopter was returning to an air base on the Mactan islet in the Philippines at dawn after ferrying troops and supplies to Basilan Island, the Abu-Sayyaf stronghold. The helicopter caught fire and went down in the water, taking the lives of the ten U.S. Servicemen aboard. Ten highly skilled and accomplished Special Forces soldiers, eight from the Army and two from the Air Force, gave their lives defending freedom and helping to make the world safe from terrorism.

Remembering Ten Soldiers

Army Maj. Curtis D. Feistner
Age 34 from White Bear Lake, Minnesota
First Commander of Echo Company
West Point Distinguished Military Graduate
Described as "a 'poet warrior' who competed in a tough-man competition and loved to cook".

Army Staff Sgt. James Paul Dorrity
Age 37 of Echo, CO
Grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina
He leaves behind a wife and two children
He was praised for his eager devotion to soldiering, and an abiding concern with doing the best job he could.

Army Capt. Bartt D. Owens
Franklin, OH
1990 Class President at Franklin High School
Co-captain of track and cross country teams
"Knew how to push others to succeed"
He leaves behind his wife, high school sweetheart Leah, and two daughters, Megan, 4, and Lauren, 2.

160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
Provides aviation support to Army special operations forces
Known as 'Night Stalkers' because of their ability to strike undetected in the darkness.
Depicted in movie Blackhawk Down
Echo Company
Formed at Ft. Campbell, KY and moved last summer to South Korea

Air Force Master Sgt. William L. "Bub" McDaniel II
Special tactics pararescue flight superintendent
Age 36 from Fort Jefferson, OH
1983 graduate of Greenville High School
He leaves his wife, Debbie, and a 4-year old son, Alex. Debbie McDaniel is expecting their second child.
Master Sgt. McDaniel joined the Air Force in 1984 but has only been a para-rescue jumper for the last four years

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2nd Class Jody Egnor
Age 32 who grew up in Liberty Township, Ohio
Joined the Army in 1988 after graduating from Lakota High School in West Chester, OH
He leaves behind his wife, Janet , in Fort Campbell, Ky.

Army Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith
Age 37 from Jamesville, NV
Graduated from Rancho High School in North Las Vegas
Called "the backbone of the unit", he'd already purchased a retirement home, but chose to stay on with the Night Stalkers and come with Echo Company to South Korea

Army Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Rushforth Jr
Age 35 from New Bedford, Massachusettes
He leaves his wife, Athena, of Clarksville, Tennessee, and his parents, Bruce and Aurella Rushforth of Middleboro, MA

320th Special Tactics Squadron
Kadena Air Base, Japan.
The 320th Special Tactics Squadron pararescuemen and combat controllers provide for the establishment of drop zones, landing zones, air traffic control, combat medical care and evacuation, and combat search and rescue

May their loved ones and friends find peace and comfort knowing that America is forever grateful for their sacrifice.

Some biographical information and more about the tragedy can be found at these links: