Helicopter crash victims returned to U.S.
The bodies of nine U.S. service members who were killed in Tuesday's helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan were flown back to Dover, Delaware, on Wednesday.
The military released the identities of the crash victims.
From the Army: Maj. Robert Baldwin from Illinois, Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Wagstaff from Utah, Chief Warrant Officer Jonah McClellan from Minnesota, Staff Sgt. Joshua Powell from Pleasant Plains, Illinois, and Sgt. Marvin Calhoun from Elkhart, Indiana were killed in the crash, said Lt. Rusty Ridley, an Air Force spokesman.
From the Navy: Lt. Brendan J. Looney of Owings, Maryland; Senior Chief Petty Officer David B. McLendon, of Thomasville, Georgia; Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam O. Smith of Hurland, Missouri; and Petty Officer 3rd Class Denis C. Miranda of Toms River, New Jersey.
Looney, Smith and Miranda were Navy SEALs; McLendon was a cryptologic technician, the Navy said in a statement.
Adam you will be missed by so many. You are a very dear friend to me. I am glad they put a pic of you with this article, I love your smile in that pic, you smile could brighten anyone's day. Instead of putting stupid comments think about all the great men who have died for our country. Thinking all the families and friends of all the men who lost their lives. R.I.P. Adam, you are a hero to all of us.
"I hope... that mankind will at length, as they call themselves responsible
creatures, have the reason and sense enough to settle their differences
without cutting throats..."
– Benjamin Franklin
"The world is adangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because
of those who look on and do nothing."
– Albert Einstein
"The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even
having to fight them..."
– Sun Tzu
"All warfare is based on deception."
– Sun Tzu
"Politics is the womb in which war develops."
– Karl Von Clausewitz
"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."
– Jose Narosky
"For what can war, but endless war, still breed?"
– John Milton
Hate to break it to you, but both Sun Tzu and von Clausewitz are rather out of place on this list: While both believed in avoiding war in so far as it is possible, they also both believed that war is sometimes inevitable and necessary - to paraphrase von Clausewitz, war is the continuation of politics by other means. You're taking quotes out of context here, or perhaps simply misunderstanding their greater meaning. Regardless, both volumes are still on the required reading lists of most military academies the world over, which should give you a clue that neither authority was exactly a pacificist.
To dowkiller, youre a very sad person. No where in this is there anything about israeli ties. Dont know where you are getting any of your senseless talk from. To the guys that died just as the many that had fallen before you, My thanks goes to you. I realize people must be in our armies. I realize that some must pay the ultimate sacrifice in order for us to be happy. Ive never agreed to the wars, however I will always be proud of the fallen. Again thanks for everything you guys do
My heart goes out to the families. God Bless them and for what they are going through. They should be proud as these men are true heroes. Being the mother of a deployed Special Forces man, I am very worried every day and say my prayers.
the bodies of 9 criminals return home & no one gives a hoot. like free speech & truth?,,,, I have an honorable discharge & will respect only the 1st US Armed forces that attack ISRAEL in retaliation for a state sponsored gold heist on 9/11.
anyone setting foot in iraq or afcrapistan belongs in jail,, & ya,, I will say this to your faces.... jews shouldn't be running america,,, americans should ( & will be soon).
You say anyone attacking Afghanistan (sic) or Iraq deserves the death sentence. Would that include the Taliban, who overran Afghanistan? Would that include Saddam Hussein, who attacked Iran and then Kuwait? If not, why not??
Whats your address? I will be there so you can say it to my face.
I have a question for ANYONE that hates the United States of America............. Anytime a disaster occurs in another country, who offers to help rebuild, sends millions of dollars, tons of food, whatever else is needed? USA, of course. In fact, check the history books as well as current events.... U will find the USA ALWAYS willing to help in whatever way possible to WHOMEVER needs it, regardless of the relationship between them and the USA.
So WHY THE HATE?
your phony help always comes with strings attached & you don't really follow thru with obligations. ( you're liars)
I am so sick of reading this type of drivel; methinks it's time for the US to withdraw our foreign aid (which comprises about 45% of ALL foreign aid) until the world gains some perspective.
THANK YOU to these brave men for making the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us in the US. My heart felt condolences to their families and friends! God speed to the men, may they rest in peace.
Ignore the haters, they have no life.
I had the great pleasure of knowing David B. McClendon. We both grew up in Thomasville and I played ball with him. RIP Blake and the rest of the crash victims. True heroes.
Any One Want To HIre A Translator?
Good riddance to bad rubbish,I didn't hear obama saying how hurtfull it is ,all this for israel?
Yup, the JDL brownshirts think they can bully people into submission. The world is learning about Israeli terrorism. Their hands are not so clean. If they keep it up, Israel is doomed.
To the nine service members who were taken; Your memory and service to this country will be held in the highest regards, truly honored as the ones who fell before you. May you now rest in peace brothers. To the family members of those nine brave service members; My deepest heart felt sympathy and condolence goes out to each of you. You bore the brunt of their abscence, keeping their home fires burning brightly in hopes of a safe return. This is a very sad, hard, and trying time in their lives. Please be respectful. I don't agree with the whole mess we're in over there either.
My heart goes to the family and friends of these fallen heros. I had the pleasure of meeting Looney and he will be greatly missed!
Stop funding the military, we need money for jobs not bombs.
the military funding is about jobs. for example military kids who's parents are stationed oversee's the base has american schools on post that are taught by civilian teachers who are funded by the military, oh the guy that cleans the floors and some military office, or the guy that serves them food rely on miolitary funding....its not just bombs how stupid someone gets for just thinking military funding is just for making and buying bombs.. lets stick to the subjuct and honor the fallen regardless if you agree or disagree.
I got news for you, if we didn't have a military there would be no US. A few times in the last 100 years already we would have been someone else's country. You wouldn't have had a job to save. Are peple really that short sighted? Many times I have heard the "books not bombs' statement. To which I reply: "so when we get attacked you're going to throw books at them??" i'm glad your life has been tree hugger enough that you have never had to experience real war, therefore you have no IDEA AT ALL that soldiers are trying to protect your right to wear sandals and socks and go to organic markets every weekend. Grow up and see the world around you is not fun and games. it is serious business and if you like your job in THIS country and under THIS flag, then shutup and support the military. If not....move.
I say forget Israel, worry about the US first. We are bankrupt and people are still defending the Apartheid state of Israel. It explains why the US is going down the tubes.
Where are the stories about the dead Afghan civilians? Afghans are worth every bit as much as any American. Why aren't the war criminals, Bush and Cheney et al. in Jail?
Stories about dead afghan civilians are on here twice a week. Where the hell have you been?
One of those guys was a dear friend. Please show respect and take your idiocity to another site for today. Like the gentleman said earlier it does not belong here and has nothing to do with the trajedy that happened. Nor do friends and family members want to read this at such a time of heartache and sorrow.
My brave brothers in Arms you may rest now .you have earned it.We will stay true to the cause in your name and honor. My unit has said a pray for you and your families. And Michael it is my and everyone's lose not to have had the honor of meeting Adam.
This war really needs to be ended,bring all troops,other americans,home,NOW.
Sure. As long as you're willing to house all of the radicals that want to cut your head off.
You know guys, this is sad.. you are filling up a page of BS, that has nothing to do with what this page is all about... "LOOK" at the picture... This is about Adam Smith, and all the others that have passed... It's sad... And I pray for their families... Take your talk to another page and argue about dumb bs... Family members as well as friends don't care to come and read your stupid comments about things that don't even pertain to this page.. Adam and the rest of you boys will be greatly missed!! Thanks for what you have done for our country!
This is so very sad. More of our finest are gone. My heart goes out to their family and friends.
MY EART GOES TO THERE FAMILIES. but toi be honest i wouldnt want to die for a liar
That's your and not you're. To all that have suffered from this tremendous loss my heart goes out to you. You'll all be in my prayers. God bless america and those that fight for her.
That's America not america. English lessons on internet blogs suck, don't they?
Where is the coverage of these brave heroes return home. Oh thats right why cover it since it George Bushes fault that died. The current Commander and Chief has no responsibility for this. He love to blame the last President. He could care less since he is in office. Lied through his teeth like most politicians due to get elected, put blame on the previous guy. The news media is just as bad they all been kissing his ass hopefully to get special access or a prize job in this idiots administration.
I guess that the final returing home of some of the most brave Americans that any of us will ever have the privilage of knowing is just not as imoprtant as (if you remember back) the adoption of the "first dog". this make me angry,
The picture seems out of place with what should be the solemnity of this story. My heart goes out the families of the soldiers who are "returning".
The Man in the Picture is Adam Smith. He was a great person and a great Nevy Seal! He died doing what he loved to do. Fighting for his Country! He was a good friend! It's a good picture!
Michael, sorry about your friend-i'm sure he was a great person
that smile is one of the things that we will always remember about Adam, And when his hair was longer always looking like he just rolled out of bed with his wild curly locks.I was glad when i show that pic. of him on this page.I know he was a hero to so many and we will miss him.He was a great friend to all, God speed Adam we miss u
he wasn't fighting for my country or me. not once.... these guys are lucky in a way,, they won't have to deal with the VA.... like me.
Navy Seals hoorah! you served well, its a shame this happened.
you all did serve bravely to save your country and nations. NO BODY can forget it.