Fort Campbell, KY – Five 101st Airborne Division Soldiers were killed September 21st, when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Qalat, Afghanistan.
The five Screaming Eagle Soldiers were all assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, which began its deployment to Afghanistan in March 2010. Four other International Security Assistance Force personnel were also killed in the crash, which remains under investigation.
Killed were: Maj. Robert Francis Baldwin, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Gabriel Wagstaff, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah David McClellan, Staff Sgt. Joshua David Powell, and Sgt. Marvin Ray Calhoun Jr.
Robert Baldwin
Maj. Robert Francis Baldwin, 37, of New Boston, IL. Baldwin entered the Army in February 1994 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2007. Baldwin was an Aviation Liaison Officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Senior Army Aviator Badge.
Baldwin is survived by his wife, Danielle M. Baldwin; daughters Rachel and Meaghan Baldwin, sons Keegan and Patrick Baldwin, all of Clarksville, Tennessee. He is also survived by parents Gary and Cheryl Baldwin of New Boston, IL.
Matthew Wagstaff
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Gabriel Wagstaff, 34, of Orem, UT. Wagstaff entered the Army in January 2002 and arrived at Fort Campbell in May 2007. Wagstaff was a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal and Army Aviator Badge.
Wagstaff is survived by his wife, Tiffany A. Wagstaff of Clarksville, Tennessee; and parents, Ronald and Suzanne Wagstaff of Orem, UT.
Marvin Calhoun
Sgt. Marvin Ray Calhoun Jr., 23, of Osceola, IN. Calhoun entered the Army in June 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2007. Calhoun was a construction equipment repairer serving as a door gunner and was assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.
His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal and Army Aviator Badge.
Calhoun is survived by his wife, Yamili Sanchez and daughter, Yohani Sanchez of Fort Hood, TX. and parents, Marvin Calhoun, Sr. and Susan Needham of Elkhart, IN.
Jonah McClellan
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah David McClellan, 26, of Minnesota. McClellan entered the Army in August 2003 and arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2006. McClellan was a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.
His awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Combat Action Badge and Army Aviator Badge.
McClellan is survived by his wife, Nina S. McClellan; sons, Ayden and Renn McClellan; daughter, Ayla M. McClellan and parents, Rodney and Susan McClellan, all of Battle Ground, WA.
Joshua Powell
Staff Sgt. Joshua David Powell, 25, of New Berlin, IL. Powell entered the Army in November 2004 and arrived at Fort Campbell in June 2005. Powell was a UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.
His awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; NATO Medal; Combat Action Badge and Army Air Crewmember Badge.
Powell is survived by his father, David A. Powell of Springfield, IL and his mother, Susan B. Needham of Pleasant Plains, IL.
A memorial service will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony. The next ceremony will be held October 13th at 4:00pm at the Family Resource Center.
