[Dan]

Sgt. Josue E. Hernandez-Chavez, 23, died Oct. 26, 2009, when his MH-47 helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in western Afghanistan.

Hernandez-Chavez was a native of Las Vegas, Nev., and volunteered for Army service in February 2005. Following basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., Hernandez-Chavez successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a medium helicopter repairer and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR (A), at Savannah, Ga. In August 2006 Hernandez-Chavez was re-designated as a flight engineer.

He was a combat veteran with six deployments, all in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

His military training includes the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Training Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Aviation Life Support Supervisors Course, the Field Sanitation Team Certification Course, and Airborne School. Hernandez-Chavez’s awards include two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Basic Aviation Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Hernandez-Chavez is survived by his father, Pedro Hernandez; his mother, Eustolia Hernandez, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and his two sisters, Cristina and Mayra Hernandez, both of Las Vegas, Nev.