I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Joint Guardian. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
The Department of Defense announced the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Both soldiers died Nov. 20, 2019, in Logar Province, Afghanistan, when their helicopter crashed while providing security for troops on the ground. The deceased are:
Chief Warrant Officer 2 David C. Knadle, 33, from Tarrant, Texas
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr., 25, from Keaau, Hawaii
The incident is under investigation. Both soldiers were assigned to 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. ~ DoD News Release
Officials with U.S. Forces Afghanistan earlier this week said it did not appear that the helicopter was brought down by enemy fire. It crashed while providing security for troops on the ground in eastern Afghanistan. ~Military.com
Chief Warrant Officer 2 David C. Knadle
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr.
"First Attack is saddened by the tragic loss of Chief Warrant Officer 2 David C. Knadle and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr. Our heartfelt condolences go to both families and their friends during this difficult time. [They] will always be remembered as a part of the heroic legacy of the 1st Cavalry Division, forged by the sacrifices of brave Cavalry Troopers who have laid down their lives in defense of freedom." Lt Col Adam Camarano, Commander 1-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
“On behalf of U.S. Central Command, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of two fallen American Soldiers in service to our country. Chief Warrant Officer 2 David C. Knadle, Operation Freedom's Sentinel Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr., Operation Freedom's Sentinel Their loss is a tragic reminder of the tremendous risks our men and women undertake to serve our nation at home and abroad. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten.” General Kenneth McKenzie, Jr., U.S. Marines
David C. Knadle grew up in Fort Worth, Texas where he attended Bethesda Christian School and later
earned a degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Knadle then worked in civilian sector before joining the US Army in April of 2013 at age 27.
His father, Edward Knadle spoke to David’s decision to enlist: “I think David really wanted to make a difference in the world, and he did by just being in the world.”
CWO2 Knadle was assigned to the 1-227th in April 2015, where he served as an Apache helicopter pilot. He deployed to Afghanistan in October for a 9 month tour.
Knadle’s father, Edward spoke about his son and the family’s loss to several different news outlets:
“We are all basically devastated at losing David. I’ve never known grief like I know it today.”
“He was a great, great son. A real patriot.”
"He believed in the principles of our country — freedom, freedom to speak, liberty — all the great things America was founded on."
"David was probably the epitome of what you'd want in a son. Everything you'd hope to have in a good son — that was my son."
Knadle posted to Facebook a “before” and “after” photo to celebrate his commitment to losing 40 pounds and body building between April and October 2018.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Knadle’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorist Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and Army Aviator Badge.
CWO2 David C. Knadle is survived by his father, Edward Knadle; mother, Charlene Knadle; his brothers Michael, Jonathan and Stephen Knadle; his wife, Silkey; a 14 year-old stepson and a 5 year-old daughter.
~ News Source
~ News Source
Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr. grew up in Keaau, Hawaii where he graduated from Rancho High School in 2012. He was a member of Rancho's JROTC and participated in the Aviation magnet program.
He entered active duty in May 2017 and was assigned to Fort Hood in October 2018.
Fuchigami, who was known by his middle name, Takeshi, was remembered by his cousin, Hoku award-winning Big Island musician Kris Fuchigami, who spoke about teaching his cousin to play ukulele. “In one week’s time, you learned 2 songs and I brought you up on stage and you played those songs perfectly! It made me so happy to see you with a huge smile on your face playing your newly discovered joy! love you Takeshi and still can’t believe any of this. But I know you are in a better place.”
Takeshi was a newlywed having just married this spring. His wife, McKenzie was able to FaceTime with her husband nearly every day including the day of the crash. “The last thing he said to me was ‘ I love you so much’ and sent me a heart,”
At 1 am there was a knock at her door. “I still feel like I’m in shock. I never expected to be a widow at 26 years old, but I know he was meant to be called home.”
According to his wife, Fuchigami loved his country and always wanted to be a pilot. He also loved his religion and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving at one time as a missionary in Japan. McKenzie said he would want everyone to find comfort in whatever religion they practice and to turn to the Lord.
Although funeral plans are not yet finalized, McKenzie Fuchigami plans to return to her hometown in Corinne, Utah. She wants to bury her husband there, likely at the Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale near Camp Williams.
“I want to be able to visit him,” she said. “I want him close to me, to be able to see him whenever I can.” ~ News Source
“The people of Hawaii join me in extending our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami, Jr., who paid the ultimate price for our freedom while serving his country in Afghanistan. Let us come together to support the family of this fallen soldier and honor his life, now and in the coming months and years.” ~ Hawaii Gov. David Ige
“Chief Warrant Officer Two Kirk Fuchigami served our country with courage and distinction. His death is a loss that will be felt across the Big Island and the state of Hawai‘i, and as a nation, we will always remember his sacrifice. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, family, and friends during this very difficult time. We only hope that they find comfort in knowing that his service exceeded all measures of honor. In life, Chief Warrant Officer Two Fuchigami was a guardian of liberty. In rest, may he find the peace we all seek.” ~US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i)
“My heart is with the families of CW2 Kirk Fuchigami Jr. of Keaʻau, HI and his brother-in-arms, CW2 David Knadle of Tarrant, TX. We grieve alongside you for the loss of two great patriots who gave all in service to our nation. We will never forget.” ~ Veteran, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) ~ News Source
Fuchigami’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and Army Aviator Badge.
~ News Source
~ News Source
I Got the News Today" is a series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifices made by our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, SARBill and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write but are an important service to those who have died and allows our community to show respect for the fallen and express condolences to those who mourn them. These posts usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.