Three sailors from Whidbey killed in Iraq
Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Three sailors from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island were killed in combat in Iraq on Friday.
The Department of Defense identified the sailors as Chief Petty Officer Gregory J. Billiter, 36, of Villa Hills, Ky., Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis R. Hall, 24, of Burley, Idaho, and Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph A. McSween, 26, of Valdosta, Ga.
The men were the first from the
Oak Harbor Navy base killed in the war since it began more than four years ago. The sailors were assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 at NAS Whidbey.
In a news release issued Monday, April 9, the Department of Defense said the three sailors “died April 6 from enemy action while conducting combat operations near Kirkuk, Iraq.”
The sailors served with the explosive ordnance unit that was featured in an in-depth article in The Record published in March about the sailors of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and their work in Iraq.
Sailors from the unit have been repeatedly deployed to Iraq because of their skills in disarming explosive devices.
It’s a dangerous job. Only a few days ago, 15 members of EODMU-11 were presented with the Bronze Star. During a
March 28 ceremony in Oak Harbor, they were acknowledged for their heroic or meritorious achievements in Iraq after returning from the war in January.
Billiter was on his third tour to Iraq. He leaves behind his wife April and son Cooper.
McSween was on his second tour to Iraq. He is survived by his wife Erin and two young daughters, Lily and Gwyneth.
Hall was described by family and friends a fun-loving, caring man, according to initial news reports. He leaves behind his family in Idaho and friends in Oak Harbor.
When three community members are lost, it is felt by the whole island, said Patty Cohen, mayor of Oak Harbor.
“When something as tragic as this happens to personnel of NAS Whidbey, it is felt by the entire community, civilian and military alike,” Cohen said.
“Our hearts ache for the families affected by this terrible act, which took the lives of three young men that represent the best of America today. With a huge debt of gratitude, we salute their bravery and their sacrifices.”
Cohen said her heart goes out to the families left behind.
“Three sets of families are struggling with a heavy burden to get through this. Please keep them in your prayers,” she said.
The Navy has been increasingly called upon to assist in ground operations since the Army and Marine Corps have been taxed by prolonged deployments to Iraq. Since the beginning of the war, 63 sailors have been killed, and a total of 3,292 American service members have died in the conflict, according to icasualties.org.
EODMU-11 has established accounts with the Navy Federal Credit Union for each of the families of the lost service members.
Donations may be made to any Navy Federal Credit Union worldwide to accounts in the sailor’s names: EODMU-11 Memorial Fund in care of Gregory Billiter, EODMU-11 Memorial Fund in care of Adam McSween and EODMU-11 Memorial Fund in care of Curtis Hall.
Donations may also be made to EODMU-11 Memorial Fund for distribution to each of the families.
Brian Kelly contributed to this report.
