Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Don C. Viray, 25, of Waipahu, Hawaii
CWO Viray was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii; died April 19, 2012 in Divalak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when his Black Hawk (UH-60) crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nicholas S. Johnson, Spc. Dean R. Shaffer and Spc. Chris J. Workman.
Fallen helo pilot buried in Hawaii
The Associated Press
HONOLULU — Friends and family of a 25-year-old Hawaii military helicopter pilot killed in Afghanistan remembered the fallen service member as laid-back, humble and caring.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Don C. Viray was buried May 10 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, according to The Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
The ceremony included a flyover by three Hawaii Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopters, rifle volleys and taps.
Viray's sister Sherry Viray says her brother was a hero who never bragged about his achievements.
Viray was killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan on April 19. Pentagon officials say the helicopter was flying in bad weather at night. Three others were killed in the crash.
Viray's awards and decorations include:
Air Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Air Assault Badge
Aviator Badge
Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Don C. Viray was killed in action on 4/19/12.
1 comment:
And it should be noted that during an audio interview with a combat reporter embedded in Afghanistan, Don stated, "I wanted to be a MEDEVAC guy. To be the guy everyone wants to see. To get them out when their hurt and just get them help." This was what he was attempting to do on that fateful, dark night back in April 19, 2012 as the pilot in command of a helo destined to crash. Though he did not make the rescue that time, he did love his job and has lived his dream.
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