Sergeant Josue E. HernandezChavez died 26 October 2009 when his MH-47G Chinook helicopter, #747, crashed while under enemy fire conducting military operations in western Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

SGT HernandezChavez was born on 5 May 1986 and was a native of Las Vegas, Nevada. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in February 2005 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Following AIT, SGT HernandezChavez successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a Medium Helicopter Repairer and was assigned to 3rd Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. SGT HernandezChavez served his first year in Delta Company as a crewmember and in August 2006 he was re- designated as a Flight Engineer and was assigned to Bravo Company.

He was a combat veteran with six deployments, all in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

SGT HernandezChavez’s 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 Life Support Supervisors Course, Field Sanitation Team Certification Course, Combatives Level 1, and Airborne School.

SGT HernandezChavez’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (w/2 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/Campaign Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Basic Aviation Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Carbine). He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal.

SGT HernandezChavez is survived by his mother, Eustolia; and sisters, Cristina and Mayra. He is laid to rest in Las Vegas, Nevada,at Palms Memorial Park and also at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, group burial Site 9522. The single Soldier barracks complex at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, are dedicated in his honor as the HernandezChavez Barracks Complex.