Seven soldiers from Grand Prairie National Guard unit killed in Iraq
Updated 9/21
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying soldiers from the 2-149th Aviation Regiment based in Grand Prairie crashed Tuesday morning shortly after midnight about 60 miles west of Basra, Iraq, killing seven soldiers. The helicopter was a part of an aerial convoy flying from Kuwait to the Balad Air Base. The Chinook is designed to transport troops and supplies to troops in combat. The crash is currently under investigation.
The soldiers were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade from Grand Prairie and were called to active duty on 5 June, 2008. They completed two and a half months of intensive training at Ft Sill in Oklahoma and deployed to Kuwait on 24 Aug, 2008. The soldiers were to join their unit already in Iraq supporting the Global War on Terrorism.
1st Lt. Vallejo was posthumously promoted to Captain and is survived by his wife Hillary Ann. Lieutenant Vallejo joined the Army National Guard on 6 Apr, 1999. His previous assignments include HHC and D Company 2-149th Aviation, and he was currently assigned to B Company 2-149th Aviation. Lieutenant Vallejo was a pilot. His awards include: Army Service ribbon, Army Commendation Medal, Aviators Badge and Adjutant General Individual Award for Texas.
Warrant Officer Edwards was posthumously promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2). He is survived by his wife Nanette, and sons Killian Hunter and Logan Samuel. Mr. Edwards joined the military on 30 Dec, 1992. Before his current assignment he served with Company G, 3-149th Aviation, and Company D 2-149th Aviation, as a maintenance officer. He served in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 19 June, 2003 to 30 April, 2004, and was en route to join his unit in Balad, Iraq. His awards include: National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Aviation Badge.
Sgt. Mason was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant and is survived by his wife Melanie Laree and daughters Ashley Nicole, Jamie Rosalee and Megan Irene. Sergeant Mason joined the Texas Army National Guard on 13 Feb, 2007, and attended basic training and advanced individual training to become a helicopter engineer. Sergeant Mason deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 3 Feb, 2003 to 21 Sep, 2003 and was en route to join his unit in Balad when the accident occurred. Sergeant Mason’s awards include: Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Aircraft Crewman Badge.
1st Sgt. Ordonez was posthumously promoted to Sergeant Major and is survived by his wife Leticia, sons Julio and Jacob, and daughters Joyce and Judith. Sgt. Major Ordonez was born in Honduras and joined the military on 29 Apr, 1982. Before joining the Texas Army National Guard he served with HHC, 6-112th in Arkansas as a helicopter engineer. His awards include: Army Achievement Medal, national Defense Service Medal, and Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development ribbon.
Three Soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard, Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf, 37, from Oklahoma City, Sgt. Daniel Eshbaugh, 43, from Norman, and Cpl Michael Thompson, 23, from Harrah, OK, were also killed in the accident.
“As we grieve with so many in our community over this extremely unfortunate news, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these Citizen-Soldiers,” said Lt. Gen. (TX) Charles G. Rodriguez, The Adjutant General of Texas.
