The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that an Idaho solider is one of two Army soldiers killed Sunday in a helicopter crash in Tikrit, Iraq.
The men killed were Chief Warrant Officer Mathew C. Heffelfinger, 29, of Kimberly, Idaho; and Chief Warrant Officer Earl R. Scott III, 24, of Jacksonville, Fla.
The two soldiers were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
They died Nov. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when their OH-58D "Kiowa" helicopter crashed.
The men were assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Heffelfinger joined the Army in April 2000 and came to Schofield Barracks in December 2007.
He served as an OH-58D pilot, and his military awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal – 2nd Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Army Aviator Badge and Parachutist Badge.
Chief Warrant Officer Earl R. Scott III, 24, of Jacksonville, Fla. Scott joined the Army in March 2006 and came to Schofield Barracks in May 2008. He served as an OH-58D pilot, and his military awards and decorations include: Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Army Aviator Badge.
Officials say the circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation.
