Killed in the Line of Duty

Last Update: Wednesday, December 04, 2024
Hosted by USAF PJ Association

“It is my duty, as a member of the Air Rescue Service,
to save life and to aid the injured.
I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned
duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties
before personal desires and comforts.
These things I do that others may live.”

Pararescuemen Killed in Action or in the Line of Duty

Dedicated to those who gave their lives so

"That Others May Live"

              Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry.    I am not there.    I did not die.
                                           - Clare Harner 1934

The following is a list of PJ's KIA during the Vietnam War

Location Abbreviations: SVN - South Vietnam, NVN - North Vietnam, LAO - Laos, CAM - Cambodia, THA - Thailand Underlined Blue Names are Hyperlinks to More Information
Wall Panel / Wall Line are from the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial

								National Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Names	Rank	Unit	Crew Pos	Aircraft	Date	Location	Misc Info	Wall Panel	Wall Line
Adams, Stephen H. Click Hyperlink More Information	A1C	33 ARRS	PJ	HU-16	10/18/1966	NVN	Crown Bravo HU-16 hit by artillery after water landing for downed pilot	11E	085
Avery, Allen J. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	37 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	04/06/1972	SVN	Jolly Green 67. Shot down on Bat 21 SAR	02W	130
Cohen, Harry M. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	38 ARRS	PJ	HH-43	07/19/1969	THA	Pedro 70 Helicopter destroyed by exploding bombs during scramble on B-52 crash. 2nd PJ Tommy Miles survived the explosion but was seriously injured.	02E	040
Crow, Raymond J. Click Hyperlink More Information	Sgt	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	03/27/1972	CAM	Jolly Green 61 Helicopter crashed due to unknown cause. Suspected maintenance problem	02W	119
Davis, Luther E. Click Hyperlink More Information	SSgt	37 ARRS	PJ	HH-3E	05/25/1970	SVN	WIA JG27 shootdown 15/04/70 Died result of these wounds on 25/05/70	10W	096
Davison, David M. Click Hyperlink More Information	A1C	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	12/05/1969	LAO	KIA by AK-47 during the Boxer 22 SAR	15W	027
Dean, Michael F. Click Hyperlink More Information	SSgt	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	06/30/1970	LAO	Jolly Green 54 Helicopter shot down during SAR	09W	103
Jenkins, Paul L. Click Hyperlink More Information \|	MSgt	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	06/30/1970	LAO	Jolly Green 54 Helicopter shot down during SAR	09W	105
King, Charles D. Click Hyperlink More Information	A1C	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-3E	12/25/1968	LAO	On JG17 hoist when it was sheared due to battle damage. Shot by Pathet Lao.	36W	076
Locker, James D. Click Hyperlink More Information	Sgt	37 ARRS	PJ	HH-3E	06/09/1968	SVN	Jolly Green 23 Helicopter shot down on SAR	58W	010
Maysey, Larry W. Click Hyperlink More Information	Sgt	37 ARRS	PJ	HH-3E	11/09/1967	LAO	Jolly Green 26 Helicopter shot down during SAR	29E	060
Pearson, William R. Click Hyperlink More Information	Sgt	37 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	04/06/1972	SVN	Jolly Green 67 Shot down on Bat 21 SAR	02W	132
Pitsenbarger, William H. Click Hyperlink More Information	A1C	38 ARRS	PJ	HH-43	04/11/1966	SVN	Pedro 73 hoisted Bill to ground to assist troops in contact. Shot in ground battle with the Viet Cong.	06E	102
Pleiman, James E. Click Hyperlink More Information	A1C	33 ARRS	PJ	HU-16	03/14/1966	NVN	Crown Bravo HU-16 hit by artillery after water landing for downed pilot	06E	007
Prose, Thomas D. Click Hyperlink More Information	A1C	37 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	11/25/1971	SVN	Jolly Green 70 Shot down in South Vietnam while returning from SAR	02W	072
Pruett, William D. Click Hyperlink More Information	SMSgt	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	01/28/1970	NVN	Jolly Green 71 Shot down by MiG in North Vietnam	14W	076
Sutton, William C. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	01/28/1970	NVN	Jolly Green 71 Shot down by MiG in North Vietnam	14W	077
Thomas, James R. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	37 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	11/25/1971	SVN	Jolly Green 70 Shot down in South Vietnam while returning from SAR	02W	072
Wagner, Raymond A. Click Hyperlink More Information	A1C	40 ARRS	PJ	HH-53	03/27/1972	CAM	Jolly Green 61 Helicopter crashed due to unknown cause. Suspected maintenance problem	02W	120

The following is a list of Pararescuemen who were KIA in the Global War On Terrorism
Underlined Blue Names are Hyperlinks to More Information

Name	Rank	Unit	CRO/PJ	Aircraft	Date	Location	Comments
Brown, John W. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	24 STS	PJ	CH-47	08/06/2011	Afghanistan	Part of QRF responding to Rangers in contact with enemy forces
Cunningham, Jason D. Click Hyperlink More Information	SRA		PJ	MH-47	03/04/2002	Afghanistan	Shot down during SAR. Survived crash. Was KIA while treating survivors and fighting off enemy troops. Awarded AFC
Duffman, Scott E. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	24 STS	PJ	MH-47	02/18/2007	Afghanistan	His aircraft was downed while on a SAR
Enis, Carl P. Click Hyperlink More Information	SSgt	308 RQS	PJ	HH-60	03/15/2018	Iraq	Operation Inherent Resolve
Flores, Michael P. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	48 RQS	PJ	HH-60	06/09/2010	Afghanistan	Pedro 66 shot down during SAR
Gentz, Joel C. Click Hyperlink More Information	Capt	58 RQS	CRO	HH-60	06/09/2010	Afghanistan	Pedro 66 shot down during SAR
Hay, Dennis P. Click Hyperlink More Information	CW02	3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, CO	Pilot	OH-58	08/29/2005	Iraq	Former PJ (Class 98-03) who transferred to Army to become helo pilot. Chief Warrant Officer Dennis Hay was killed on August 29th, 2005 when his OH-58D Kiowa helicopter came under small arms attack near Tal Afar, Iraq. He was shot by small arms fire and the co-pilot was also wounded. Despite his injury Dennis was able to help the co-pilot land the aircraft. The co-pilot survived his wounds. Dennis was an outstanding pilot,was a graduate of the instructor course, and was selected to move to TF160 when he returned from this deployment.
Maltz, Michael H. Click Hyperlink More Information	MSgt	38 RQS	PJ	HH-60	03/23/2003	Afghanistan	Komodo 11 crashed during SAR
McCaskill, Nicholas L. Click Hyperlink More Information	CMSgt Retired		Retired PJ		04/06/2013	Afghanistan	Was employed by CIA when killed in action in an improvised explosive device ambush
McDaniel, William L. Click Hyperlink More Information	MSgt	320 STS	PJ	MH-47	02/22/2002	Philippines	MH-47 crash in the Philippines supporting the GWOT
Plite, Jason T. Click Hyperlink More Information	SRA	38 RQS	PJ	HH-60	03/23/2003	Afghanistan	Komodo 11 crashed during SAR
Posch, William R. Click Hyperlink More Information	MSgt	308 RQS	PJ	HH-60	03/15/2018	Iraq	Operation Inherent Resolve
Ridout, Juan M. Click Hyperlink More Information	SSgt	320 STS	PJ	MH-47	02/22/2002	Philippines	MH-47 crash in the Philippines supporting the GWOT
Weber, Mark S. Click Hyperlink More Information	Capt	38 RQS	CRO	HH-60	03/15/2018	Iraq	Operation Inherent Resolve
White, Benjamin D. Click Hyperlink More Information	SRA	48 RQS	PJ	HH-60	06/09/2010	Afghanistan	Pedro 66 shot down during SAR
Zerbe, Daniel L. Click Hyperlink More Information	TSgt	24 STS	PJ	CH-47	08/06/2011	Afghanistan	Part of QRF responding to Rangers in contact with enemy forces

The following is a list of Pararescuemen who were killed in the line of duty
Note: If name is underlined in blue it is a hyperlink to the details of the PJs death

Name

Rank

Unit

Aircraft

Date

Location

Circumstances

Anderson, Scott A.

SSgt

Det 9,
67 ARRS

C-130

02/28/1984

Spain

JA/AAT jump mission. Aircraft crashed into terrain 4km NW Borja, Spain while in flight.
Staff Sergeant Anderson was participating in a night training jump in conjunction with a joint Spanish and U.S. exercise. The C-130E Hercules departed Zaragoza on a low-level parachute training mission. Weather in the area included a 1200-feet ceiling with 6 km visibility. The Hercules struck the face of a mesa at an elevation of 2200 feet.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Arnott, Victor L.

SSgt

102 ARRS

HC-130

05/08/1981

Nevada

S-18 Parachute Accident
Staff Sergeant Victor L. Arnott Jr assigned to the 102^nd ARRS, Plattsburgh AFB, New York. Arnott, Jack Brehm, Mike Durante, and a PJ from Florida are sent to Nellis AFB, Nevada, to participate in an "Operation Red Flag" exercise. They are tasked to accomplish a night, low level, tactical parachute jump. Following the jump, they were to complete an overland desert ground rescue scenario. The weather was marginal with high winds and the drop zone had some rough terrain. After landing, three of the four PJs link up; but, Arnott is missing. The PJs set up a search and Mike Durante finds Arnott laying on the ground still attached to his parachute. An immediate medical assessment revealed that Sergeant Arnott was deceased. The accident investigation board concluded that on landing his head hit a rock that penetrated his helmet.

Barton, Sean M.

TSgt

320 STS

N/A

10/30/2014

Katmandu, Nepal

Climbing accident during team training in Nepal
TSgt. Sean Barton, an Air Force Special Operations Command Pararescueman died from injuries sustained after a rappelling training incident during a joint exercise training event near Kathmandu, Nepal.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Berry, Robert L.
Click Hyperlink More Information

SSgt

Det 5, 38 ARRS Udorn RTAFB, Thailand

N/A

07/23/1966

Vietnam War

Died of Black Water Fever contracted in Laos during Vietnam War

Was medevac to CONUS hospital where he died. Because he died in the USA, and his illness was contracted in a country that the U.S. denied we had troops in, his name was not included on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as a casualty of the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War, U.S. operations in Laos was denied by the United States and any reference to those operations was classified SECRET. In 1993, President Clinton ordered the mandatory declassification of Vietnam War documents. From that point on, there was no further denial of Laotian military operations. Sergeant Berry probably should be on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Some names have been added many years after the war ended. We fought for and succeeded in getting the MOH for Pitsenbarger. Correcting Sergeant Berry's status and getting him on the wall would be the right thing to do. This would be a worthy project for some past PJ who has time on his hands and is willing to fight the bureaucracy and right this error in documentation.

Brady, Raymond A.

Sgt

71 ARRS

N/A

11/15/1975

Alaska

POV Vehicle accident while responding to SAR scramble on icy roads on a hill between Eagle River, AK and Elmendorf AFB, AK

PICTURE

Burns, Robert

10 ARS

C-47

1949

Alaska

Parachute accident

ROBERT BURNS-Flt A, 10th ARS, Elmendorf AFB, AK. Burns is on a training parachute jump with Doc Weise, Bill Murphy, Billy Abernathy, Myron Shepard, and Tony Willis. Burns exits the C-47 first as a "wind dummy." It becomes obvious that he's drifting over the intended land drop zone towards a small lake, which he lands in. The remaining PJs exit the aircraft. After landing they use various methods to recover Burns, including a canoe. This is successful and he is brought to land. Artificial respiration is initiated and sustained for a long time without success.

Carlton, Larry W

A1C

HC-54

06/29/1964

Bermuda

Mid air C54/C-97 during SAR training

Carlyle, Steven L.

SSgt

129 ARRS

HH-3

09/01/1988

California

Helicopter crash during training exercise
Sergeant Carlyle is part of an HH-3E crew engaged in a low level training mission at Fort Irwin Range in southern California. Without warning, the aircraft crashes, killing all on board. Born 2 May 1964, Steven was 24 when he died. He was interred at Mountain View Cemetery, Wala Wala, WA.

Casey, Leon J.
no picture available

1947

Alaska

Parachute accident during SAR

Coleman, Daniel N.

TSgt

71 ARS

00/00/1958

Alaska

Helicopter crash
Sergeant Coleman was on a search mission aboard an H-21 helicopter assigned to the 71^st ARS in Alaska. The aircraft contacted a wire in flight and crashed into a river and Sergeant Coleman drowned.

Crockford, Mark L.

SRA

67 ARRS

HC-130

06/10/1981

North Sea off United Kingdom

Parachute accident during SAR. S-17 parachute fatality
Senior Airman Mark L. Crockford was conducting a day water jump in the United Kingdom, North Sea water training area. He drown after water entry. The accident investigation board is unable to determine why Airman Crockford drown.

Curtis, Raleigh D.

SMSgt

04/20/1979

Colorado

Mountain training accident
Curtis was engaged in winter high altitude training in the Colorado Rockies. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and later died of a heart attack at Fitzsimons Army Hospital. Sergeant Curtis participated in three World War II combat jumps with the 82^nd Airborne Division before transferring into Pararescue. At the time of his death he was the oldest PJ performing operational duties.

Eccleston, Douglas L.

SSgt

12/07/2001

Atlantic Ocean

RAMZ (Rigging Alternate Method Zodiac) accident
Following the successful water jump to treat a critically ill seaman on the supertanker Amal Belia, Sergeant Eccleston was involved in a fatal accident with the Zodiac inflatable boat. The boat and PJ team had earlier been recovered by the tanker where they provided medical treatment to the seaman. The tanker proceeded to Bermuda, where the sick man was transferred to shore on a smaller vessel. The Zodiac was being lowered from the tanker to transfer it to a smaller vessel. Doug and another PJ were in the raft while it was being lowered when for an unknown reason, it flipped over tossing the two PJs into the water. The other PJ was quickly pulled from the water but Eccleston couldn't be found. The next day his body was found.
ECCLESTON FACILITY DEDICATION

Elliott, Robert T.

Sgt

00/00/1960

Alaska

SAR accident
A climbing party has fallen on Mt. McKinley. One man has a broken leg and the other has frostbite. It is a joint mission between the Alaska 71^st Air Rescue Squadron and civilian pilots to affect the rescue. Sergeant Elliott flies as an observer with a civilian pilot from Talkeetna, Alaska. They set out to see how the climbers have weathered the previous night. On one pass over the climbers, they crash into the mountain at the 17,000-foot level. The aircraft burns on impact. At the families' request no attempt is made to recover the remains.

Ferreira, James A.

A1C

Det 15 39ARRW

HH-3

04/07/1984

Florida

HH-3 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 50 miles off shore of Cape Canaveral
Airman First Class James A. Ferreira and Staff Sergeant Mark R. Judy were PJs on an HH-3 covering a night missile launch from a Trident nuclear submarine just offshore the Kennedy Space Center. At some point during the flight the aircraft impacts the water and sinks. Three crewmembers escape the sinking helo and five crewmembers are lost. The two PJs were among the fatalities. A later attempt to recover the aircraft is conducted, but is unsuccessful.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES MEMORIAL PROGRAM MEMORIAL PLAQUE

Flower, William J.

TSgt

67 ARRS

04/30/1972

England

Climbing accident during training

Gilbert, John R.

SSgt

6594 Test Gp

HH-53

01/15/1985

Pacific Ocean off Hawaii

HH-53 based at Hickham AFB HI crashed during a SAR. Also killed in the crash was Sgt Robert Jermyn
SSgt Gilbert and Sgt Jermyn were PJ crewmembers on an HH-53 helicopter during a medevac mission 540 miles from Honolulu, Hawaii. A British seaman is suffering from internal bleeding. Two HH-53's are dispatched to make a pickup and transport the patient to a hospital. During the approach to a hover over the Japanese freighter Asian Beauty, the HH-53 has a main rotor failure and crashes on the deck of the ship killing all seven crewmembers including Gilbert and Jermyn.
WIKI ARTICLE

Harder, Richard A.

MSgt

304 RQS

N/A

11/21/1996

California

Heart attack
Sergeant Harder is engaged in physical training when he suffers a heart attack.

Photo of MSgt Harder wearing 1970's PARA-SCUBA gear

Horton, John E.

TSgt

129 ARRS

06/24/2002

California

All terrain vehicle (ATV) accident while conducting SAR training

Hubble, James C.

Unknown

1949

Florida

Parachute accident Sellers Lake, Florida
Lieutenant Hubble is participating in a demonstration jump for the Civil Air Patrol. Upon arrival over the proposed drop zone, it is ascertained that the drop zone is unsuitable An open area between an airstrip and a lake is selected. Lt Hubble exits the aircraft and the prevailing wind carries him toward the lake. He lands in the lake approximately fifty yards offshore and is observed clearing his parachute and swimming for shore. His jump partner, John Branch, drops two life rafts to Lt Hubble. Branch then parachutes from the aircraft and attempts to find Lt Hubble. All he finds is his floating helmet. Lt Hubble drowns in this incident.

Hursh, Scott B.

SSgt

102 ARRS

HH-3

06/13/1978

New York

102 ARRS ANG HH-3 crash into a mountain during bad weather in New York.
Two other PJs were also on this aircraft (MSgt Allan Snyder and SSgt David Lambert). They were enroute to a water training area near Plattsburg AFB, NY. The aircraft suddenly became enveloped in fog and clouds and flew into a mountainside.

Jermyn, Robert A.

Sgt

6594 Test Gp

HH-53

01/15/1985

Pacific Ocean off
Hawaii

HH-53 based at Hickham AFB HI crashed during a SAR. Also killed in the crash was PJ SSgt John R. Gilbert
Sgt Jermyn and SSgt Gilbert were PJ crewmembers on an HH-53 helicopter during a medevac mission 540 miles from Honolulu, Hawaii. A British seaman is suffering from internal bleeding. Two HH-53's are dispatched to make a pickup and transport the patient to a hospital. During the approach to a hover over the Japanese freighter Asian Beauty, the HH-53 has a main rotor failure and crashes on the deck of the ship killing all seven crewmembers including Jermyn and Gilbert.
WIKI ARTICLE

Jones, Jeffrey Y.

SSgt

41 ARRS

HC-130

04/01/1983

Pacific Ocean

Jump mission Pacific Ocean. May have hit head on SCUBA tanks during jump. Body never recovered. S-17 parachute fatality
Staff Sergeant Jones was initially listed as missing after he and his partner, Staff Sergeant Steven Rodman, parachuted into heavy seas 700 miles northeast of Hawaii, to rescue two downed aviators. The PJs were on an HC-130, which was escorting a flight of A-4 Skyhawk fighters on their way to the United States mainland. One of the A-4s developed engine problems and the pilots ejected and parachute into the ocean. MA-1 kits were deployed to the fliers. A two man Pararescue team deployed next. Sergeant Rodman and the A-4 fliers make it to the rafts, but Sergeant Jones is never seen again. After ten days of searching, the SAR effort is called off. Sergeant Jones is declared as deceased.
OBITUARY

Jones, Wayne R.

TSgt

1550 TCHTS

HC-130

09/27/1998

Nellis AFB, Nevada

Parachute accident.
Technical Sergeant Wayne R. Jones was assigned to the Pararescue School, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. He was TDY to Nellis AFB, Nevada when he was killed during an MT-1X freefall parachute jump.

Judy, Mark R.

SSgt

Det 15 39ARRW

HH-3

04/07/1984

Florida

HH-3 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 50 miles off shore of Cape Canaveral
Staff Sergeant Mark R. Judy and Airman First Class James A. Ferreira were PJs on an HH-3 covering a night missile launch from a Trident nuclear submarine just offshore the Kennedy Space Center. At some point during the flight the aircraft impacts the water and sinks. Three crewmembers escape the sinking helo and five crewmembers are lost. The two PJs were among the fatalities. A later attempt to recover the aircraft is conducted, but is unsuccessful.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES MEMORIAL PLAQUE

Kimbrel, Robert W.

SSgt

1550 TCHTS

HC-130

04/02/1986

New Mexico

HC-130 crashed near Kirtland AFB when a wing came off during a low level mission
On 2 April 1986, an HC-130, call sign King 11, assigned to the 1550 TCHTS Kirtland Air Force Base was scheduled to fly low level practice enroute to an Pararescue airdrop at the Burris DZ, New Mexico. The flight was uneventful until it arrived at the drop zone when the jumps were canceled due to high winds on the DZ. The aircraft then proceeded on to continue the low level training. During this phase of the flight profile one of the wings ripped off and all on board were killed in the subsequent crash. An investigation revealed that corrosion was the cause of the wing failure. There were 11 men on board and none survived. The PJs who died in the crash were TSgt John R. McGee, SSgt Robert W. Kimbrel, SSgt Michael D. Perron and Sgt Leo M. Purchiaroni.
NEWS ARTICLES MEMORIAL PROGRAM

Kinney, Albert C
Photo not available

71 ARS

1947

Alaska

Parachute accident during SAR

Koecher, Robert P.

SSgt

38 ARRS

HH-3

10/22/1973

Korea

HH-3 crash
Staff Sergeant Koecher is on an HH-3 engaged in a training flight. He is killed when the aircraft flies into a mountain near Osan Air Base, Korea.

Kraines, Peter A.

TSgt

24th SOW

10/08/2019

Idaho

Climbing accident during mountain rescue training
Suffered injuries in an estimated 40-foot fall while performing mountain rescue techniques. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office investigators believe an equipment error caused the fall

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ACCIDENT SITE PHOTO

Kutscher, Jason C.

SRA

33 ARRS

HH-3

10/06/1994

Korea

HH-60 crash near Osan AB Korea. Hit power lines
PJs SRA Jason Kutsher and SRA Richard Setaro were part of an HH-60 crew engaged in a night training flight out of Osan Air Base, Korea. During the flight, the aircraft hit a communications cable suspended over a small valley and impacts the ground. Both airmen, along with the rest of the crew, are killed in the crash.

Lambert, David D.

SSgt

102 ARRS

HH-3

06/13/1978

New York

102 ARRS ANG HH-3 crash into a mountain during bad weather in New York.
Two other PJs were also on this aircraft (MSgt Allan Snyder and SSgt Scott Hursh). They were enroute to a water training area near Plattsburg AFB, NY. The aircraft suddenly became enveloped in fog and clouds and flew into a mountainside.

London, Santhal O.

71 ARS

1947

Alaska

Parachute accident during SAR

Magee, Martin D.

SSgt

41 ARRS

HH-53

07/17/1977

HH-53 in flight loss of control during night training flight in Nevada. Hit by tail rotor during bailout.
Sergeant Magee was on an HH-53 flight near Nellis AFB, Nevada. His aircraft developed problems in flight. Staff Sergeant Magee was thrown, or jumped from the ramp. He makes contact with the tail rotor and dies of his injuries.

McComb, Randy S.

HQ ARRS

N/A

1983

Illinois

Vehicle accident.
While assigned to HQ ARRS at Scott AFB, IL., he was driving to work when a tree fell onto his car and killed him. Also in the car was his wife Peach who incredibly was not injured.

McDermott, Sean J.

SRA

320 STS

C-130

08/13/1998

Oura Bay, Okinawa

Freefall RAMZ jump. MT-1X malfunction
Senior Airman Sean J. McDermott was acting as team leader on a HALO RAMZ (Rigging Alternate Method Zodiac) water jump into the Oura Bay, Okinawa drop zone. Sean was on the 3^rd pass with two other jumpers and a RAMZ package. He encountered problems with his main parachute deployment. He cut away the main canopy, pulled his reserve, but the bridle line entangled on the strobe light on his helmet, causing the parachute not to open. 33^rd RQS and 320^th STS Pararescuemen treated him on scene and an HH-60 hoisted him out via Stokes litter. PJs TSgt Jim Thede and SSgt Ron Thompson treated him on the way to the hospital. Sean died of his injuries while in the hospital.
OTHER INFORMATION

McGee, John R.

TSgt

1550 TCHTS

HC-130

04/02/1986

New Mexico

McGill, Charles

305 ARRS

HC-130

Unknown

Oregon

During a night freefall jump Chuck hits a tree stump on landing and broke his neck. Was paralyzed and placed in iron lung for approximately 18 months before he passed away.

McKenna, Kevin P.

SSgt

129 ARRS

N/A

09/07/1993

Saudi Arabia

Heart attack while doing PT. Was on deployment to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Storm. Born 23 April 1964, Kevin was 29 when he died. Was interred at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Fort Worth, TX

Novak, Joseph E.

Sgt

71 ARRS

N/A

12/04/1977

Alaska

SCUBA accident
Sergeant Novak was engaged in a training dive operation in Finger Lake, Alaska. The operation is being conducted under ten inches of ice. He suffered a Unisuit regulator
malfunction and drowned.

O'Dell, Robert M.

SSgt

66 ARRS

HC-130

12/08/1985

Florida

TDY at Eglin AFB to teach PJs military freefall with MT-1X.
Staff Sergeant O'Dell was a freefall instructor assigned to the 23rd Air Force MT-1X parachute mobile training team. He was participating in a night free-fall parachute jump from an HC-130 to a drop zone on Eglin AFB. During freefall he collides with another jumper and O'Dell is knocked unconscious. He died on ground impact. The other jumper in the collision landed OK.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Perron, Michael D.

SSgt

1550 TCHTS

HC-130

04/02/1986

New Mexico

Purchiaroni, Leo M.

Sgt

1550 TCHTS

HC-130

04/02/1986

New Mexico

Reindl, Paul J.

SSgt

31 ARRS

HC-130

02/05/1969

Pacific Ocean off Taiwan

HC-130 crash Pacific Ocean near Taiwan during SAR

USAF ACCIDENT REPORT

Rowe, Thomas

SSgt

Unknown

N/A

1961

Florida

SCUBA accident

Setaro, Richard M.

SRA

33 ARRS

HH-60

10/06/1994

Korea

Smith, Arden R.

TSgt

102 ARRS

HH-60

11/20/1991

Atlantic Ocean

“Perfect Storm SAR.” 106th RQS HH-60 ditched into Atlantic Ocean. Body never recovered
Smith and John Spillane are Pararescue crewmembers on an HH-60 crew dispatched to recover an individual from a sailboat out in the Atlantic. The weather gets continually worse the farther out they proceed. The wind and weather are too severe to accomplish a pick up. They abort and proceed back to shore. They attempt to air refuel, but because of the severe weather and turbulence air refueling is impossible. They are forced to ditch. Spillane and Smith exit the door with Smith jumping first. Spillane states that he fell for a long time and hit hard. He is severely injured. The aircraft impacts the water and the remaining three crewmembers exit. After a perilous time in the water, Spillane and the other crewmembers are rescued by a Coast Guard cutter. There is no sign of Smith. An extensive search is conducted but Smith is never seen again.

Snowden, William K.

Unknown

U-10

00/00/1969
Exact date unknown

Panama

SAR jump accident
Panama Canal Zone. Snowden and Randy Pickelsimer are making practice parachute jumps from a U-10 aircraft. Snowden is up with a combat weatherman to make another jump. They observe an Army UH-1 (HUEY) that has crashed into the jungle. Snowden parachutes into the crash site, the U-10 lands and picks up Pickelsimer. He jumps into the crash site and finds a pilot and crewmember that are all right. There is a period of time that the location of Snowden is unknown. PJ Roy Vogel and a weatherman search the crash site for Snowden. They find him rolled up in his reserve parachute, deceased. He apparently died of a broken neck.

Snyder, Allen G.

MSgt

102 ARRS

HH-3

06/13/1978

New York

102 ARRS ANG HH-3 crash into a mountain during bad weather in New York.
Two other PJs were also on this aircraft (SSgt Scott Hursh and SSgt David Lambert). They were enroute to a water training area near Plattsburg AFB, NY. The aircraft suddenly became enveloped in fog and clouds and flew into a mountainside.

Stewart, Jesse D.

SRA

66 RQS

HH-60

09/03/1998

Nevada

HH-60 crash after midair collision with another HH-60
Senior Airman Jesse Stewart and Airman First Class Justin Wotasik are PJ aircrew members on two HH-60 helicopters assigned to the 66^th RQS assigned to Nellis AFB, Nevada. They were participating in night training operations, in the extensive range complex, north of Las Vegas, Nevada. The aircraft did not return to base as scheduled. A search was initiated and both aircraft are found crashed in a rugged mountainous area of the range. Both aircraft impacted the ground, killing all crewmembers on board.

Walker, Michael L.

TSgt

40 ARRS

N/A

07/10/1973

Thailand

Died of illness contracted in Laos at forward operating location

Whipple, John

Unknown

N/A

10/00/1951
Date uncertain. Incident occurred sometime between Sept and Oct 1951

Philippines

SAR heat stroke
The telephone line between the Camp O'Donnell Gunnery Range and the main base has become inoperative. The anti-government "Huk" guerillas have been active in the area. Whipple is tasked to transport Air Police and telephone repair personnel, in one of the units tracked "Weasel" vehicles, along the communication line to investigate. Some distance from the main base the vehicle throws a track and becomes disabled. Whipple attempts repairs by in the process becomes ill and suffers from heat prostration. He is evacuated to the base hospital and dies a few days later from complications.

Wotasik, Justin C.

A1C

66 RQS

HH-60

09/03/1998

Nevada

Zimmermann, Lawrence R.

Sgt

129 ARRS

HC-130

07/12/1977

California

S-17 parachute accident during training jump.
Sergeant Zimmerman was participating in a training parachute jump. During the descent he collides with another jumper, causing his parachute to malfunction. He is killed on impact with the ground. The accident occurs near Livermore, California.

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