Rest in Peace Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Koch and Chief Petty Officer Nathan H. Hardy. Our prayers go out to these brave heroes families, friends and fellow Soldiers.
Posted on 02/11/2008 6:50:08 AM PST by RDTF
Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Koch, 29, a graduate of Charles County schools and former resident of La Plata, was one of two Navy SEALs based in Virginia Beach killed in Iraq last week.
Koch and Chief Petty Officer Nathan H. Hardy of Durham, N.H., died Feb. 4 of wounds suffered from small-arms fire during a combat operation, according to Navy officials.
Born on Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb., where his father was stationed, Koch moved frequently as a child because of his father's assignments. He graduated from Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret in 1996.
For the next year and a half, Koch attended Penn State University. He left to enlist in the Navy in 1998 and entered SEAL training in 1999. Joining the elite Special Forces unit was always his goal, said his father, Donald Koch.
"That's why he went into the Navy -- to try out for the SEALs," Koch said. "He was very humble and quiet but fabulous at what he did."
During his career, Koch was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal and, three times, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. His father said Koch will be receiving posthumously a second Bronze Star with Valor.
Koch's commitment to military service appeared to run in the family. His brother, Matthew Koch, served in the Navy for four years, and works as a private contractor in Iraq. He flew back with Michael's body. Koch's father has also worked as a contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan since retiring from the Air Force. And his mother has an accounting job with a U.S. contractor in Afghanistan.
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(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
ping
Does anyone know his father’s name? I went to high school with a Koch who is still in the air force. I think this young man is a few years older than would be the children of my old classmate, but maybe not.
SOCOM Ping
Donald ...
RIP Brave warrior.
Thank you. Not the one, but a brave son of his parents nevertheless. Prayers for the family in this time of overwhelming loss.
May he be honored forever.
Prayers for the family.
From another Navy family.
PRSESENT ARMS;
Taps sounds;
READY TWO;
Rest in PEACE warrior, your duty is done,
You have earned your place in Heaven, by serving in he!!
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Prayers to the family.. thank you for your sacrifice!
Prayers for his family........
My thanks to both of these for their service to our country.
May God comfort their families.
Prayers...
May God Bless them and their families.
God Bless this young patriot. His ultimate sacrifice will not be in vein. We will win this war on terror.
Hand Salute..................two
SKCM(SS) USN, Retired
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