Alabama high school graduate among five American soldiers killed in helicopter crash
Published 4:02 pm Monday, November 13, 2023
One of five U.S. Army Special Operations soldier who were killed Friday in the Mediterranean Sea graduated from high school in Alabama, a former school leader confirmed Monday.
“Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, 38, of Clarksville, Tennessee, was a 2004 graduate of Enterprise High School, the City of Enterprise posted on social media.
“We are heartbroken to learn that Steve was killed while in service to our country,” Enterprise Mayor William E. Cooper said. “I was assistant principal when he was in high school, and I remember him fondly. Let’s all lift up his wife, their three boys, his parents, sister and other family members and friends in prayer as they go through this unimaginable time.”
Dwyer, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, 34, Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, 26, Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, 27, and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, 24, died in the Friday crash.
“May their family and friends find comfort in the fact that these men were serving and defending their country, providing a fine example for all of us of true patriotism. May God Bless their souls,” Cooper said.
The Department of Defense announced the MH-60 Blackhawk experienced an in-flight emergency resulting in the crash. There were no indications the crash was caused by enemy/hostile actions, according to the DOD.
The U.S. Army’s Combat Readiness Center is investigating the crash, which is standard procedure.