Stephen C. Reich – Age 34
Army Major
Washington
(2005 - Afghanistan)

 
Major Stephen C. Reich, May 22, 1971 – June 28, 2005, of Washington Depot, Connecticut, served four tours of duty in Afghanistan and was killed in action when he and 15 troops of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment on board a Chinook helicopter were shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade in Kunar province, Afghanistan, while rescuing a SEAL team.

Reich attended West Point where he pitched for the Army baseball team. Reich was a star pitcher for Army and holds the record for most wins by a West Point pitcher. In 1993, Reich was named to the "Team USA" baseball team.

During his military career, Reich received the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Senior Army Aviator Wings, Airborne and Air Assault Badges. He was posthumously given the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and an Air Medal with Valor device and the Combat Action Badge.

Reich is survived by his wife, Jill, of Panama City, Fla.

Information: west-point.org