DoD Identifies Army Casualties

News Release from US Department of Defense

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Medical personnel confirmed on April 20 that they died April 19, in southwestern Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the UH-60 Black Hawk they were in crashed.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nicholas Johnson, 27, of San Diego, Calif. was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Don Viray, 25, of Waipahu, Hawaii, was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and

Sgt. Dean Shaffer, 23, of Pekin, Ill., was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and

Sgt. Chris Workman, 33, of Boise, Idaho, was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Johnson’s awards and decorations include the Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, Army Service Medal and the Aviator Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Johnson joined the Army September 18, 2003 and became a UH-60 Pilot December 12, 2008.

This was Johnson’s first deployment.

He was married with one child.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Viray’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge and the Aviator Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Viray joined the Army June 26, 2007 as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot.

This was Viray’s second deployment.

Sgt. Shaffer’s awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Aviator Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Sgt. Shaffer joined the Army June 12, 2007 as a UH-60 Black Hawk Repairer.

This was Shaffer’s second deployment.

Sgt. Workman’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Basic Parachutist Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Sgt. Workman joined the Army November 24, 2009 as a chemical operations specialist.

This was Workman’s third deployment.

He was married and had one child.

“Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of our fallen heroes,” said Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller, commanding general, 25th Infantry Division. “Although the 25th Combat Action Brigade family has suffered a huge loss, they still continue their mission with the utmost courage and resolve.”

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

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