SEAL killed in parachute training

[papa smurf]

I was devestated to hear about the incident and loss of this beloved SEAL. He was small in stature but was larger than life and had a big heart, the name says it all. I only got to know you a short time and have become a better person just for knowing you. You'll be sorely missed.

link: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/navy_seal_death_080213w/

SEAL killed in parachute training

By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 13, 2008 17:05:34 EST

NORFOLK, Va. — A Navy SEAL died during parachute training Wednesday morning in Arizona, according to information released by Naval Special Warfare Group 2.

The operator will be identified once his family has been notified. The incident, which occurred near Casa Grande, is under investigation.

Lt. Dave Luckett, Group 2 spokesman, said the SEAL died during normal freefall parachute training.

The SEAL is the fifth to die since early December, and the second SEAL training death in two weeks.

* Chief Special Warfare Operator Mark Thomas Carter, 27, of Fallbrook, Calif., was killed in enemy action Dec. 11 in Iraq. Carter was with Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron 2, based in Virginia Beach, Va.

* Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class (SEAL) Shapoor Alexander Ghane Jr. was shot and killed Jan. 30 during a live-fire training exercise at the Mid-South Institute of Self-Defense Shooting near Lake Cormorant, Miss. He was assigned to a SEAL team with Naval Special Warfare Group 1 in Coronado, Calif.

* Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Nathan H. Hardy, 29, of Durham, N.H., and Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Michael E. Koch, 29, of State College, Pa., were killed Feb. 4 by small-arms fire in Iraq. Both were assigned to a SEAL team with Naval Special Warfare Group 2 in Little Creek, Va.

[sealwife256]

It really is a shock factor, all will be very missed and their families are in my prayers.

[montstar]

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.

Eternal Father, faithful friend,
Be quick to answer those we send
In brotherhood and urgent trust
On hidden missions dangerous;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee
For SEALs in air on land and sea.

[rsctt83]

I tried to move the posts that pay tribute to fallen hero to that thread. I was unable to move those posts. I apologize to everyone for my inability to accomplish that. Please feel free to post comments in Tribute thread. Again, my bad and I am sorry I screwed it up.

[gmt-nyc]

SEAL killed in parachute jump is identified
by Maxine Park, The Arizona Republic

The Navy has identified the SEAL who died Wednesday during a parachute-training exercise.

Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Thomas J. Valentine, 37, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, died from injuries suffered during parachute-training operations in Casa Grande AZ, Navy officials said.

"We want to make sure that we find out what exactly happened so that we can prevent this from happening again," said Naval Public Affairs Officer Lt. David Luckett. Luckett said the type of training exercise is relatively routine.

The accident occurred early Wednesday morning while Valentine was undergoing free-fall parachute training. Valentine's body was found at the Mission Royale Golf Course. The cause of the accident was still under investigation. Valentine enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1989 and served most of his time with East Coast-based SEAL teams.

Valentine did multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and received numerous military awards and decorations including three Bronze Stars with "V" for Valor.

Valentine, who was from Minnesota, is survived by his wife, two children, parents, brother and sister