NORMAN, OK, USA U.S. Army SGT, DETACHMENT 1, COMPANY B, 2D BATTALION, 149TH AVIATION, LEXINGTON, OK TALLIL, IRAQ 09/17/2008
Sergeant Eshbaugh was born Oct. 18, 1964, in Chicago, to Bernadine and Daniel. Dan graduated from St. Francis in 1982. He was a Norman, Oklahoma resident. Upon graduation, he joined the Air Force. He served a tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from Feb. 3, 2003 to Sep. 21, 2003.He enlisted in the Air Force in 1982 and served ten years. After a six-year break in service, Sergeant Eshbaugh joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1998 for two years until 2000. He had another break before enlisting again in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2002. He was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation. He previously deployed in 2003 and spent four months in theater. His decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and the Oklahoma Good Conduct Ribbon.
Sergeant Daniel Eshbaugh, served as a flight engineer in Detachment 1, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation out of Lexington. On September 18, 2008, his helicopter crashed . Dan was one of the seven soldiers lost in the crash, and was one of the three Lexington-based Oklahomans killed . The soldiers were part of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and were flying one of four CH-47 Chinook helicopters in an aerial convoy in southern Iraq. They were assigned to Detachment 1, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation. The choppers were being moved from Kuwait to Balad Air Base north of Bagdad.
Sergeant Eshbaugh and his crewmates are remembered as soldiers who faced life with faith, courage and a genuine attitude of service to their country.
He is survived by his wife Rachel, daughter Jordan and son Bryan. Dan leaves wonderful memories with his loving wife of 14 years, Rachel; son, Bryan; and daughter, Jordan. Dan has two other daughters, Ashley and Jessica of Kansas. They had been married for 19 years when he was killed.
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