SAINT LOUIS PARK, MN, US
U. S. Army
CW2, CO B, 5TH BN, 101ST COMBAT AVIATION BDE, FORT CAMPBELL, KY
09/21/2010, QALAT, AFGHANISTAN
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah David McClellan died September 21, 2010 when his UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Qalat. Qalat is a Taliban stronghold area in Afghanistan. CW2 McClellan was a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. He entered the Army in August 2003 and arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2006. Eight others perished in the crash which occurred just after takeoff. Five of the lost were 101st Screaming Eagles.
His awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Combat Action Badge and Army Aviator Badge.
While Jonah McClellan joined his deceased infant son, he is survived by his wife, two sons, his daughter, his parents along with many family and friends of the Battle Ground, Vancouver, Washington area. Jonah was a twenty-six years old.
He grew up near Battle Ground, Washington and the Battle Ground City Council ordered flags at city facilities be lowered to half-staff in his honor. He joined the Army in 2003. He shared some of his general mission work with his family noting that he supported airlifting injured soldiers, transporting troops and dropping off re-supply items. He started this second yearlong tour of Afghanistan in March 2010 and had served as a soldier aviator for seven years. He loved flying and was honored to serve his country,
Jonah was recognized as a quiet and polite student. He was a 2002 graduate of Summit View High school and had also attended Battle Ground High School, Lewisville Middle, and Captain Strong Primary schools. He was a life-long member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. Two thousand church and community members honored him and his devotion to his faith by singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”