Sergeant First Class James “JR” R. Stright died in the early morning hours of 23 October 2009. He was a crewmember aboard an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter when it crashed off the coast of Virginia during a night training mission on 22 October 2009.

SFC Stright was born on 18 February 1980. He was a native of Libby, Montana, and volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in June 1998. Following Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, Sergeant First Class Stright served with 57th Air Medical Ambulance Company at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as both a Helicopter Mechanic and Crew Chief. In June 2002, SFC Stright was then assigned to the 377th Air Ambulance Company at Camp Humphreys, Korea, as the Company Standardization Instructor. In 2003, he successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a Helicopter Mechanic. SFC Stright arrived to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR(ABN), at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in December 2003 where he served as a Crew Chief, Section Sergeant, and Product Control NCO. In September 2009, SFC Stright was assigned as a Platoon Sergeant to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR(ABN), at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

SFC Stright was a combat veteran with 16 deployments, all in support of the Global War on Terrorism. His military training includes the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Training Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course, Aviation Accident Prevention Course, Airload Planners Course, Ground Safety Management Course, Combatives Level 1, Airborne School and Air Assault School.

SFC Stright’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal (w/Numeral 6), two Army Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/Bronze Service Star), Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Non- Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 1), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Carbine). He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

SFC Stright is survived by his mother, Kathy and his father, Bob. He is laid to rest in Libby, Montana, at Libby Cemetery. Building #7918 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, is dedicated in his honor as Stright Hall.