Profiles of Valor: CW5 David Cooper, United States Army

The Patriot Post ^ | 7/25/2008

[mad_as_he$$]

That picture is perfect! Shows all the detail. Notice the Nightstalker emblems on the epaulets.

[mad_as_he$$]

they have pulled more than their weight.

Afghanistan, 2005: Eight Night Stalkers were lost along with eight Navy SEALs on a rescue mission for Marcus Luttrell, after their MH-47 Chinook helicopter was hit by an RPG (rocket propelled grenade). They were sent out to look for Luttrell after Operation Red Wing, which he was undertaking with three other SEALs, went horribly awry after their presence was revealed to the Taliban, presumably by goat herders. The Night Stalkers lost on the search and rescue mission included:

Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, 29, of Danville, Ohio

Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 35, of Clarks Grove, Minnesota.

Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 21, of Pompano Beach, Florida

Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 33, of Shelbyville, Indiana

Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III, 36, of Franklin, Tennessee

Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 34, of Washington Depot, Connecticut.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 31, of Stafford, Virginia

Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 40, of Jacksonville, Florida

The 160th also provided aviation support during numerous special operations raids during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. One of them was the rescue mission of PFC. Jessica Lynch taken prisoner in 2003, the raid in Al Qadisiyah, as well as the rescue of three Italian contractors and one Polish businessman held for ransom by Iraqi insurgents in 2004.

[mad_as_he$$]

I met Mike at a book signing. What a great guy. He still had the fire.