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Lieut John Russell Hunter

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Lieut John Russell Hunter Veteran

Birth
Libby, Lincoln County, Montana, USA
Death
20 Dec 1989 (aged 30)
Panama
Burial
Hamilton, Ravalli County, Montana, USA Add to Map
Plot
48 9E 31 4
Memorial ID
View Source
Birth location and death location furnished by contributor #468194911LT Hunter was born in Libby, Montana on 28 January, 1959 and entered the Army in 1976. He completed Warrant Officer Flight Training with follow-on qualification in the AH-1 attack helicopter. He was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion in 1986, where he served as a Fully Mission Qualified pilot for two years.


Subsequently, he applied and was accepted for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation branch. He returned to 1st Battalion, serving as a platoon leader, assistant S3, and liaison officer to special operation ground forces. He participated in the Persian Gulf crisis.


1LT Hunter's awards and decorations include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Legion of Merit.


He distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 20 December, 1989 while assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion as an AH-6G light attack helicopter gunship pilot during Operation Just Cause. Although his helicopter sustained hits from enemy anti-aircraft fire, he remained in an intense battle to support the exfiltration of friendly ground forces. After firing his ammunition, he quickly rearmed and, showing a complete disregard for his own personal safety, he returned to the engagement to ensure the successful mission accomplishment of the ground forces. His aircraft, #678, sustained a crippling hit and crashed.

Birth location and death location furnished by contributor #468194911LT Hunter was born in Libby, Montana on 28 January, 1959 and entered the Army in 1976. He completed Warrant Officer Flight Training with follow-on qualification in the AH-1 attack helicopter. He was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion in 1986, where he served as a Fully Mission Qualified pilot for two years.


Subsequently, he applied and was accepted for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation branch. He returned to 1st Battalion, serving as a platoon leader, assistant S3, and liaison officer to special operation ground forces. He participated in the Persian Gulf crisis.


1LT Hunter's awards and decorations include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Legion of Merit.


He distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 20 December, 1989 while assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion as an AH-6G light attack helicopter gunship pilot during Operation Just Cause. Although his helicopter sustained hits from enemy anti-aircraft fire, he remained in an intense battle to support the exfiltration of friendly ground forces. After firing his ammunition, he quickly rearmed and, showing a complete disregard for his own personal safety, he returned to the engagement to ensure the successful mission accomplishment of the ground forces. His aircraft, #678, sustained a crippling hit and crashed.


Inscription

1st Lt. US Army
PANAMA

PURPLE HEART SILVER STAR
160T SPEC OPER AV GROUP

Gravesite Details

8/16/1991



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