Sergeant Andrew P. Southard was born on 27 October 1996. He was a native of Spokane, Washington, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2015 as a UH-60 Black Hawk Repairer (15T). Upon completion of Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas. During that time, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL. He later completed a 13-month rotation to Task Force Sinai in support of ongoing peacekeeping operations. After finishing his Sinai tour, he reported to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

SGT Southard volunteered for assignment with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and after completing the Regiment’s extensive training and assessment program in 2023, he was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion at Fort Campbell, to serve as an MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) Crew Chief.

SGT Southard’s military education includes the Enlisted Combat Skills Course (Green Platoon); Combatives Level 1; UH-60M Standardization and Flight Instructor Course; MH-60M Maintainers Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course; MH-60 Nonrated Crew Member Course; and the Basic Leaders Course.

SGT Southard’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (w/2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Michael for significant contributions to the Army Aviation Community.

SGT Southard died when MH-60M Black Hawk, (DAP) tail #490, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea during a training mission on 10 November 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Ashley; his daughter, Hallie; his stepson, Jack; and his parents, Randy and Kim.