Spc. Michael I. Edwards of Fairbanks, Alaska graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Bronx, New York. and entered the Reserves in 2000 and the Guard in 2003. He attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 2002, studying aviation. Michael enlisted in the United States Army on March 31, 1997, as a helicopter repairman and was promoted on May 1, 1999, to specialist. On Nov. 17, 2001, he switched to Army reserve status. Spc. Edwards joined the Alaska Army National Guard on Oct. 9, 2003. He took pride in his work and the Black Hawk for which he was crew chief. He loved his job and had recently re-enlisted. He lived in Anchorage with his fiancee and daughter. He also has a son, Elijah, who lives in Fairbanks. He was assigned as a helicopter repairman, Detachment 1, Company C, 1-207th Aviation, when the unit mobilized to Iraq. In total, Edwards was in the U.S. Army, U.S Army Reserves and the Alaska Army National Guard for more than eight years, during which he received a dozen awards that include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and the Alaska Distinguished Service Medal. Michael was killed when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Tal Afar, Iraq at age 26. Also killed were: Maj. Stuart M. Anderson, Maj. Douglas A. La Bouff, Capt. Michael R. Martinez, 1st Lt. Jaime L. Campbell, 1st Lt. Joseph D. deMoors, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chester W. Troxel and Spc. Jacob E. Melson.
Army
1st Battalion
207th Aviation Regiment
Alaska Army National Guard
Anchorage, Alaska
Army
1st Battalion
207th Aviation Regiment
Alaska Army National Guard
Anchorage, Alaska
Spc. Michael I. Edwards of Fairbanks, Alaska graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Bronx, New York. and entered the Reserves in 2000 and the Guard in 2003. He attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 2002, studying aviation. Michael enlisted in the United States Army on March 31, 1997, as a helicopter repairman and was promoted on May 1, 1999, to specialist. On Nov. 17, 2001, he switched to Army reserve status. Spc. Edwards joined the Alaska Army National Guard on Oct. 9, 2003. He took pride in his work and the Black Hawk for which he was crew chief. He loved his job and had recently re-enlisted. He lived in Anchorage with his fiancee and daughter. He also has a son, Elijah, who lives in Fairbanks. He was assigned as a helicopter repairman, Detachment 1, Company C, 1-207th Aviation, when the unit mobilized to Iraq. In total, Edwards was in the U.S. Army, U.S Army Reserves and the Alaska Army National Guard for more than eight years, during which he received a dozen awards that include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and the Alaska Distinguished Service Medal. Michael was killed when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Tal Afar, Iraq at age 26. Also killed were: Maj. Stuart M. Anderson, Maj. Douglas A. La Bouff, Capt. Michael R. Martinez, 1st Lt. Jaime L. Campbell, 1st Lt. Joseph D. deMoors, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chester W. Troxel and Spc. Jacob E. Melson.
Army
1st Battalion
207th Aviation Regiment
Alaska Army National Guard
Anchorage, Alaska
Army
1st Battalion
207th Aviation Regiment
Alaska Army National Guard
Anchorage, Alaska
