The United States Army Special Operations Command released a press statement on Saturday, August 29th, identifying the men killed in a helicopter crash. Sgt. Tyler M. Shelton, 22, of San Bernardino, and Vincent P. Marketta, 33, of Brick, New Jersey, suffered fatal wounds from the incident on San Clemente Island, California.
The island is off the coast of Southern California. The Army said that the men killed were special operations soldiers. The accident report showed they were carrying out training with a Blackhawk helicopter when they crashed on Thursday, August 27th.
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Three other unnamed service members suffered injuries in the accident, but the Army did not disclose the extent of their wounds. The statement did not reveal what led to the crash. The Army noted that there was a mishap while conducting aviation training on the island.
Colonel Andrew R. Graham, the commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), said that Shelton and Marketta’s loss left a scar in the regiment that will not completely heal. He added that their level of dedication and exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a soldier.
Graham said that the priority of 160th SOAR (A) is ensuring the families of the fallen heroes receive their complete support as they work through the tragedy together. He asked the public to keep the regiment and the victims’ families in their thoughts and prayers.
Shelton served in Afghanistan while Marketta deployed once to the country and several times to Iraq. The two will each receive the Meritorious Service Medal posthumously.
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