Captain J. David Hortman died 8 August 2011 when his AH-6M Little Bird helicopter crashed during a training mission at a live-fire range at Fort Benning, Georgia.

CPT Hortman was a native of Inman, South Carolina and graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor degree in History in May 2004. Upon completion of Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training, CPT Hortman was assigned to Fort Drum, New York, where he served in multiple positions including Scout Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion S-1, Battalion, S-4, and Assistant Battalion S-3. Following his assignment to Fort Drum, CPT Hortman attended the Aviation Captains Career Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama. After a successful assessment in 2010, CPT Hortman was assigned to 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as an AH- 6M Special Operations Light Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader.

CPT Hortman was a combat veteran with three deployments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

CPT Hortman was a graduate of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training, Aviation Officer Basic Course, OH- 58D Aircraft Qualification Course, U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger School, Modern Army Combatives Level 1 Course, Aviation Captains Career Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, and 160th SOAR(Abn) AH-6M Officer Green Platoon.

CPT Hortman’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (w/2 Bronze Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Aviator Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

CPT Hortman is survived by his parents, Brenda and Kenneth; his sister, Jill; and his brother, Andy. He is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 9630.