A US Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed in northern Iraq Saturday night, killing all 12 Americans aboard. Likely caused by bad weather, it was the deadliest helicopter accident in Iraq in a year. The Black Hawk belonged to the Alaska Army National Guard, and four of the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, were among the dead.
Also lost in the crash was Captain Michael R. Martinez, deployed in support of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since November 2005. Captain Martinez is the first serving JAG lawyer killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (and only the fifth serving JAG staff KIA since the invasion). Martinez formerly was stationed at Fort Carson (Colorado), where he was Chief, Legal Assistance (see p. 22).
I didn't know Captain Martinez. But his death is a reminder that hundreds of U.S. lawyers serve their country through the military, many in harms way.
RIP Captain Michael R. Martinez. May God bless him and his family.
1 comment:
I came across your entry about Capt Martinez by chance. This deployment is almost over... he, as well as my husband and so many others were supposed to be home in a few weeks.
When people hear JAG Corps, they don't picture the normal ever day Soldier that most perceive as the "grunts" and back bone of the operation. Jag does their fair share; they are trained in all of the same things as everyone else is.
Captain Martinez was a good man. He was the kind of officer that deserved the respect he was given by his Soldiers. You didn't work FOR him, you worked WITH him. He was big on comradery and family, and on that last point, he treated you like you were.
He is missed by so many. Thank you for taking the time to honor him.
Blood and Steel!
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