Vice President J.D. Vance issued a statement on Tuesday following the tragic military helicopter crash near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington last week that led to the death of four American soldiers.
According to Fox 13, four U.S. soldiers were killed when a MH-60 Black Hawk crashed near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in a rural area last Wednesday at roughly 9 p.m. The outlet noted that U.S. Army Special Operations Command has confirmed that the helicopter crash remains under investigation.
On Monday, the Army announced that the four soldiers who died as a result of an “aircraft mishap while conducting routine flight training” have been identified as 39-year-old Army Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Kraus, 35-year-old Army Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Cully, 24-year-old Army Sgt. Donavon Scott, and 23-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Jadalyn Good.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm the loss of four courageous Night Stalkers from the 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), who tragically lost their lives on Sept. 17th during a training mission,” Col. Stephen Smith said in Monday’s press release.
Smith described the four soldiers as “exceptional warriors” who “embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations.”
“Their sacrifice in service to our nation will forever be etched in our hearts and in the legacy of the Night Stalkers,” Smith added. “These heroes were not only elite professionals but also cherished teammates, friends, and family members whose absence leaves an immeasurable void.”
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On Tuesday, the vice president shared a statement from Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham, which noted that one of the soldiers killed in the military helicopter crash was the son of Bill Kraus, the co-founder of Mission BBQ.
“I have met Bill and I appreciate this family so much—their love for this country and our military is so evident,” Graham said. “Every day at noon in all of their restaurants, the kitchen stops, the cash register stops, and all the customers stand at attention with the staff to sing the National Anthem.”
In a caption to Graham’s statement, Vance wrote, “This is extremely sad. A great company and a great family. May Andrew and all of the soldiers killed rest in peace.”
Pictures of the four soldiers killed in last week’s helicopter crash were shared Monday on social media by U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
