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Captain Joel Christopher Gentz, 25, was Killed In Action on Wednesday, 09
June 2010, when insurgents shot down his helicopter. On that date,
two
HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters “Pedro 66” and “Pedro 67” flew into Helmand
Province to rescue a critically injured British Marine near Forward Operating
Base Jackson in the Sangin District, in southern Afghanistan. Upon arriving at
the scene, both helicopters came under intense enemy fire.
While Pedro 67 landed
to recover the wounded Royal Marine, Pedro 66 remained in the air and provided
fire support. Pedro 66 was hit by a rocket propelled grenade which critically
damaged the helicopters tail rotor. Due to the damage that the aircraft had
received, it went into an uncontrollable spin and crashed away from the initial
landing zone. Of the seven on board
Pedro 66, Capt Joel Gentz (CRO), TSgt Michael Flores (PJ) , SrA Ben White (PJ),
Capt David Wisniewski (Pilot) and SSgt David Smith (Flight Engineer) were
killed.
 Pedro 67 immediately
flew to the crash site and deployed a 3-man PJ team. The PJs medically treated survivors, and
recovered the remains of deceased personnel. Royal Marines of the 40 Commando's
Charlie Company also rushed to rescue the survivors and secure the scene.
Joel Gentz was born on
July 9, 1984 in Rochester, New York, the son of Steve and Judy (Rowe)
Gentz. Joel was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul United Church of
Christ.
To his younger sister, Rachel Gentz, Joel was a nerd in high school. He
was a member of the marching band, and more specifically the drum
line. He was also active in cross country, swimming, football, and was
on the tennis team for four years. He was a member of the National Honor
Society. Joel earned his 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do. He
was obsessed with all things related to flight and dreamed of being an
astronaut. Joel was also an outdoors-man; enjoying hiking and
backpacking with his family and as a Boy Scout. He graduated from Chelsea High School in 2002
and with events of 9/11 fresh in his mind, decided he wanted to enlist.
His parents convinced him to go to college first and potentially become
a military officer.
Joel graduated with honors from Purdue University in 2007 with
a degree in Aerospace Engineering and was accepted to the U.S. Air
Force’s pilot training. However, Joel had been exposed to the USAF
Pararescue and had a new dream. Joel turned down his chance to fly to
become a Combat Rescue Officer.
On June 7, 2008, Joel married Kathryn Sullivan, and she survives.
The pictures of their wedding day are filled with smiles - actually all
of Joel's pictures are filled with his humongous smile. He and Kathryn loved camping,
running, hiking and backpacking.
Joel was stationed at Kirtland Air Force
Base in Albuquerque, NM where he completed Combat Rescue Officer
training. Prior to graduation as a CRO
Joel
received a pilot slot, but turned it down because of his desire to
become a Combat Rescue Officer to save his fellow service men. After
graduation from Combat Rescue
Officer training he was assigned to the 58th RQS Nellis AFB, Nevada and
was deployed to Afghanistan April 24, 2010.
In addition to his beloved wife Kathryn, Joel is survived by his
parents, his brother, Jared, and sister, Rachel, all of Chelsea; two
grandmothers, Barb Gentz of Howard City, MI and Jeanne Rowe of
Rochester, NY; mother-in-law, Anne Sullivan; father- in-law, Patrick
(Amanda) Sullivan; brother and sister-in-law, Shawn and Emilie Sullivan;
his aunts and uncles, Sharon and Terry Freeman of Raleigh, NC, John and
Beth Rowe of Rochester, NY, Karen and Ken Hannah of Buffalo, NY, Cheryl
Borner of Buffalo, NY; and many cousins.
Joel was interred at Oak Grove East Cemetery, Chelsea, Michigan |
