[Dan]

Sgt. Nickolas A. Mueller, 26, died Oct. 26, 2009, when his MH-47 helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in western Afghanistan.

Mueller was a native of Little Chute, Wis., and volunteered for Army service in June 2004. Following basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., Mueller served with the 2-52nd Aviation Battalion at Camp Humphries, South Korea, as a medium helicopter repairer. In 2007 he successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR (A), in Savannah, Ga., where he served as a flight engineer.

He was a combat veteran with three deployments, all in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom.

His military training includes the Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Training Course, and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course. Mueller’s awards include the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge.

Mueller is survived by his parents, Larry and Sharon Mueller, of Little Chute, Wis.