Attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, when he died in a helicopter crash during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
NBC San Diego, May 23 ~ La Mont, a Marine with a passion for flying "died doing what he loved" when the transport helicopter he was piloting crashed in central Iraq, his brother said Thursday. "There were many facets to Andrew, but flying was his one big love," his brother Thomas La Mont said in a telephone interview. "He was there because he wanted to be doing what he was doing. We are all very proud of his service to the country, our country."
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1988 and joined the Marines under a delayed entry program while he was a student at San Diego State University a decade ago. He spent the summer attending boot camp, and after graduating began his pilot training.
The youngest of nine children, La Mont was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where his father, James, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, was stationed. He was the only one of the siblings to follow their father's path into the military. "He was the baby of the family, literally," said Thomas, who is seven years older than his brother but closest to him in age.
As a Marine, La Mont served in Kosovo and was part of the helicopter detail that flew the first Marines into Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "He saw quite a bit of action over there," his brother said. The La Mont family has two other members serving in the Middle East, including Andrew La Mont's nephew, Christopher, who was scheduled to return home from Iraq on Friday.
On April 3, as U.S. forces prepared to enter Baghdad for the final stages of the war, KGO-AM in San Francisco broadcast a live radio interview with La Mont before he flew to Baghdad to help evacuate injured troops.
"Hello to everyone in Eureka, California," he said. "I look forward to coming back." La Mont was not married and had no children. He is survived by his parents, James and Vivian La Mont of Eureka; his brothers Christopher La Mont and Thomas La Mont of Eureka, Jonathan La Mont of Santa Clara; and sisters Susan Irani of Maryland, Cynthia Silvers of Arizona, Kathleen Roberts of Virginia, and Mary Loudy of Florida.
The Times-Standard, May 23, 2003
EUREKA -- North Coast leaders Thursday honored Marine Capt. Andrew La Mont, a Eureka native who was killed in a helicopter crash in Central Iraq on Monday.
The flag was lowered to half-staff at City Hall and all city offices and Mayor Peter LaVallee is sending a letter expressing condolences on behalf of the City Council and staff. La Mont was the son of former City Councilman James La Mont, who served on the council representing the 3rd Ward from 1986 to 1990.
"The Mayor, Council and City of Eureka staff extend our deepest condolences to the La Mont family," city officials said in a press release issued Thursday. The city's flag will be flown at half staff through noon on Memorial Day on Monday.
In Washington, D.C., North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson plans to read a memorial statement for La Mont into the Congressional Record on the House floor. Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, is also sending a letter expressing his condolences to the La Mont family.
La Mont, 32, and at least three other Marines were on a resupply mission in Central Iraq on Monday afternoon when shortly after takeoff their CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed into a canal southeast of Karbala. All aboard were killed, as well as another Marine who drowned in the canal trying to save the crash victims. La Mont's body was recovered on Tuesday, marking the first confirmed North Coast casualty of the Iraq war.
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1989 and from San Diego State University in 1994, majoring in criminal justice. He also enrolled in Marine Corps officer's training school while in college, having considered eventually entering the FBI or CIA. But when he took service entrance exams, La Mont did so well he qualified to become a pilot.
After finishing college, La Mont entered active duty as a lieutenant and completed flight school in Pensacola, Fla. During almost a decade of military service, La Mont was involved in the conflicts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. He also helped in the relief efforts after a major earthquake in Turkey in 1999.
During the Iraq war, La Mont's job was to fly wounded servicemen to hospitals in Kuwait.
La Mont had been stationed at Camp Pendleton prior to being shipped to Iraq before the war. His parents, James and Vivian, of Eureka, are at his home in Camp Pendleton awaiting further word from Marine authorities.
The La Mont family is expecting some good news. Andrew La Mont's nephew, Marine Sgt. Christopher La Mont, who has been serving in the Middle East with the Marines' 1st Expeditionary Unit since October, is scheduled to arrive stateside in the next few days.
Along with Andrew and Christopher La Mont, Navy Cmdr. David Buckey, a cousin, is also serving in the Persian Gulf.
A memorial service for the helicopter crew is being planned. Funeral arrangements for La Mont are being handled by Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka.
NBC San Diego, May 23 ~ La Mont, a Marine with a passion for flying "died doing what he loved" when the transport helicopter he was piloting crashed in central Iraq, his brother said Thursday. "There were many facets to Andrew, but flying was his one big love," his brother Thomas La Mont said in a telephone interview. "He was there because he wanted to be doing what he was doing. We are all very proud of his service to the country, our country."
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1988 and joined the Marines under a delayed entry program while he was a student at San Diego State University a decade ago. He spent the summer attending boot camp, and after graduating began his pilot training.
The youngest of nine children, La Mont was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where his father, James, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, was stationed. He was the only one of the siblings to follow their father's path into the military. "He was the baby of the family, literally," said Thomas, who is seven years older than his brother but closest to him in age.
As a Marine, La Mont served in Kosovo and was part of the helicopter detail that flew the first Marines into Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "He saw quite a bit of action over there," his brother said. The La Mont family has two other members serving in the Middle East, including Andrew La Mont's nephew, Christopher, who was scheduled to return home from Iraq on Friday.
On April 3, as U.S. forces prepared to enter Baghdad for the final stages of the war, KGO-AM in San Francisco broadcast a live radio interview with La Mont before he flew to Baghdad to help evacuate injured troops.
"Hello to everyone in Eureka, California," he said. "I look forward to coming back." La Mont was not married and had no children. He is survived by his parents, James and Vivian La Mont of Eureka; his brothers Christopher La Mont and Thomas La Mont of Eureka, Jonathan La Mont of Santa Clara; and sisters Susan Irani of Maryland, Cynthia Silvers of Arizona, Kathleen Roberts of Virginia, and Mary Loudy of Florida.
The Times-Standard, May 23, 2003
EUREKA -- North Coast leaders Thursday honored Marine Capt. Andrew La Mont, a Eureka native who was killed in a helicopter crash in Central Iraq on Monday.
The flag was lowered to half-staff at City Hall and all city offices and Mayor Peter LaVallee is sending a letter expressing condolences on behalf of the City Council and staff. La Mont was the son of former City Councilman James La Mont, who served on the council representing the 3rd Ward from 1986 to 1990.
"The Mayor, Council and City of Eureka staff extend our deepest condolences to the La Mont family," city officials said in a press release issued Thursday. The city's flag will be flown at half staff through noon on Memorial Day on Monday.
In Washington, D.C., North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson plans to read a memorial statement for La Mont into the Congressional Record on the House floor. Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, is also sending a letter expressing his condolences to the La Mont family.
La Mont, 32, and at least three other Marines were on a resupply mission in Central Iraq on Monday afternoon when shortly after takeoff their CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed into a canal southeast of Karbala. All aboard were killed, as well as another Marine who drowned in the canal trying to save the crash victims. La Mont's body was recovered on Tuesday, marking the first confirmed North Coast casualty of the Iraq war.
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1989 and from San Diego State University in 1994, majoring in criminal justice. He also enrolled in Marine Corps officer's training school while in college, having considered eventually entering the FBI or CIA. But when he took service entrance exams, La Mont did so well he qualified to become a pilot.
After finishing college, La Mont entered active duty as a lieutenant and completed flight school in Pensacola, Fla. During almost a decade of military service, La Mont was involved in the conflicts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. He also helped in the relief efforts after a major earthquake in Turkey in 1999.
During the Iraq war, La Mont's job was to fly wounded servicemen to hospitals in Kuwait.
La Mont had been stationed at Camp Pendleton prior to being shipped to Iraq before the war. His parents, James and Vivian, of Eureka, are at his home in Camp Pendleton awaiting further word from Marine authorities.
The La Mont family is expecting some good news. Andrew La Mont's nephew, Marine Sgt. Christopher La Mont, who has been serving in the Middle East with the Marines' 1st Expeditionary Unit since October, is scheduled to arrive stateside in the next few days.
Along with Andrew and Christopher La Mont, Navy Cmdr. David Buckey, a cousin, is also serving in the Persian Gulf.
A memorial service for the helicopter crew is being planned. Funeral arrangements for La Mont are being handled by Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka.
Attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, when he died in a helicopter crash during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
NBC San Diego, May 23 ~ La Mont, a Marine with a passion for flying "died doing what he loved" when the transport helicopter he was piloting crashed in central Iraq, his brother said Thursday. "There were many facets to Andrew, but flying was his one big love," his brother Thomas La Mont said in a telephone interview. "He was there because he wanted to be doing what he was doing. We are all very proud of his service to the country, our country."
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1988 and joined the Marines under a delayed entry program while he was a student at San Diego State University a decade ago. He spent the summer attending boot camp, and after graduating began his pilot training.
The youngest of nine children, La Mont was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where his father, James, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, was stationed. He was the only one of the siblings to follow their father's path into the military. "He was the baby of the family, literally," said Thomas, who is seven years older than his brother but closest to him in age.
As a Marine, La Mont served in Kosovo and was part of the helicopter detail that flew the first Marines into Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "He saw quite a bit of action over there," his brother said. The La Mont family has two other members serving in the Middle East, including Andrew La Mont's nephew, Christopher, who was scheduled to return home from Iraq on Friday.
On April 3, as U.S. forces prepared to enter Baghdad for the final stages of the war, KGO-AM in San Francisco broadcast a live radio interview with La Mont before he flew to Baghdad to help evacuate injured troops.
"Hello to everyone in Eureka, California," he said. "I look forward to coming back." La Mont was not married and had no children. He is survived by his parents, James and Vivian La Mont of Eureka; his brothers Christopher La Mont and Thomas La Mont of Eureka, Jonathan La Mont of Santa Clara; and sisters Susan Irani of Maryland, Cynthia Silvers of Arizona, Kathleen Roberts of Virginia, and Mary Loudy of Florida.
The Times-Standard, May 23, 2003
EUREKA -- North Coast leaders Thursday honored Marine Capt. Andrew La Mont, a Eureka native who was killed in a helicopter crash in Central Iraq on Monday.
The flag was lowered to half-staff at City Hall and all city offices and Mayor Peter LaVallee is sending a letter expressing condolences on behalf of the City Council and staff. La Mont was the son of former City Councilman James La Mont, who served on the council representing the 3rd Ward from 1986 to 1990.
"The Mayor, Council and City of Eureka staff extend our deepest condolences to the La Mont family," city officials said in a press release issued Thursday. The city's flag will be flown at half staff through noon on Memorial Day on Monday.
In Washington, D.C., North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson plans to read a memorial statement for La Mont into the Congressional Record on the House floor. Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, is also sending a letter expressing his condolences to the La Mont family.
La Mont, 32, and at least three other Marines were on a resupply mission in Central Iraq on Monday afternoon when shortly after takeoff their CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed into a canal southeast of Karbala. All aboard were killed, as well as another Marine who drowned in the canal trying to save the crash victims. La Mont's body was recovered on Tuesday, marking the first confirmed North Coast casualty of the Iraq war.
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1989 and from San Diego State University in 1994, majoring in criminal justice. He also enrolled in Marine Corps officer's training school while in college, having considered eventually entering the FBI or CIA. But when he took service entrance exams, La Mont did so well he qualified to become a pilot.
After finishing college, La Mont entered active duty as a lieutenant and completed flight school in Pensacola, Fla. During almost a decade of military service, La Mont was involved in the conflicts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. He also helped in the relief efforts after a major earthquake in Turkey in 1999.
During the Iraq war, La Mont's job was to fly wounded servicemen to hospitals in Kuwait.
La Mont had been stationed at Camp Pendleton prior to being shipped to Iraq before the war. His parents, James and Vivian, of Eureka, are at his home in Camp Pendleton awaiting further word from Marine authorities.
The La Mont family is expecting some good news. Andrew La Mont's nephew, Marine Sgt. Christopher La Mont, who has been serving in the Middle East with the Marines' 1st Expeditionary Unit since October, is scheduled to arrive stateside in the next few days.
Along with Andrew and Christopher La Mont, Navy Cmdr. David Buckey, a cousin, is also serving in the Persian Gulf.
A memorial service for the helicopter crew is being planned. Funeral arrangements for La Mont are being handled by Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka.
NBC San Diego, May 23 ~ La Mont, a Marine with a passion for flying "died doing what he loved" when the transport helicopter he was piloting crashed in central Iraq, his brother said Thursday. "There were many facets to Andrew, but flying was his one big love," his brother Thomas La Mont said in a telephone interview. "He was there because he wanted to be doing what he was doing. We are all very proud of his service to the country, our country."
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1988 and joined the Marines under a delayed entry program while he was a student at San Diego State University a decade ago. He spent the summer attending boot camp, and after graduating began his pilot training.
The youngest of nine children, La Mont was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where his father, James, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, was stationed. He was the only one of the siblings to follow their father's path into the military. "He was the baby of the family, literally," said Thomas, who is seven years older than his brother but closest to him in age.
As a Marine, La Mont served in Kosovo and was part of the helicopter detail that flew the first Marines into Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "He saw quite a bit of action over there," his brother said. The La Mont family has two other members serving in the Middle East, including Andrew La Mont's nephew, Christopher, who was scheduled to return home from Iraq on Friday.
On April 3, as U.S. forces prepared to enter Baghdad for the final stages of the war, KGO-AM in San Francisco broadcast a live radio interview with La Mont before he flew to Baghdad to help evacuate injured troops.
"Hello to everyone in Eureka, California," he said. "I look forward to coming back." La Mont was not married and had no children. He is survived by his parents, James and Vivian La Mont of Eureka; his brothers Christopher La Mont and Thomas La Mont of Eureka, Jonathan La Mont of Santa Clara; and sisters Susan Irani of Maryland, Cynthia Silvers of Arizona, Kathleen Roberts of Virginia, and Mary Loudy of Florida.
The Times-Standard, May 23, 2003
EUREKA -- North Coast leaders Thursday honored Marine Capt. Andrew La Mont, a Eureka native who was killed in a helicopter crash in Central Iraq on Monday.
The flag was lowered to half-staff at City Hall and all city offices and Mayor Peter LaVallee is sending a letter expressing condolences on behalf of the City Council and staff. La Mont was the son of former City Councilman James La Mont, who served on the council representing the 3rd Ward from 1986 to 1990.
"The Mayor, Council and City of Eureka staff extend our deepest condolences to the La Mont family," city officials said in a press release issued Thursday. The city's flag will be flown at half staff through noon on Memorial Day on Monday.
In Washington, D.C., North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson plans to read a memorial statement for La Mont into the Congressional Record on the House floor. Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, is also sending a letter expressing his condolences to the La Mont family.
La Mont, 32, and at least three other Marines were on a resupply mission in Central Iraq on Monday afternoon when shortly after takeoff their CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed into a canal southeast of Karbala. All aboard were killed, as well as another Marine who drowned in the canal trying to save the crash victims. La Mont's body was recovered on Tuesday, marking the first confirmed North Coast casualty of the Iraq war.
La Mont graduated from Eureka High School in 1989 and from San Diego State University in 1994, majoring in criminal justice. He also enrolled in Marine Corps officer's training school while in college, having considered eventually entering the FBI or CIA. But when he took service entrance exams, La Mont did so well he qualified to become a pilot.
After finishing college, La Mont entered active duty as a lieutenant and completed flight school in Pensacola, Fla. During almost a decade of military service, La Mont was involved in the conflicts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. He also helped in the relief efforts after a major earthquake in Turkey in 1999.
During the Iraq war, La Mont's job was to fly wounded servicemen to hospitals in Kuwait.
La Mont had been stationed at Camp Pendleton prior to being shipped to Iraq before the war. His parents, James and Vivian, of Eureka, are at his home in Camp Pendleton awaiting further word from Marine authorities.
The La Mont family is expecting some good news. Andrew La Mont's nephew, Marine Sgt. Christopher La Mont, who has been serving in the Middle East with the Marines' 1st Expeditionary Unit since October, is scheduled to arrive stateside in the next few days.
Along with Andrew and Christopher La Mont, Navy Cmdr. David Buckey, a cousin, is also serving in the Persian Gulf.
A memorial service for the helicopter crew is being planned. Funeral arrangements for La Mont are being handled by Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka.
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