Sergeant Kip A. Jacoby died on 28 June 2005 in eastern Afghanistan when his MH-47D Chinook helicopter, #146, was shot down by an enemy rocket propelled grenade while flying in to rescue the members of a SEAL team during Operation RED WINGS.

SGT Jacoby was born on 2 September 1983 in Florida. A native of Pompano, Florida, SGT Jacoby graduated high school in 2002. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in October 2002 as a Heavy Helicopter Repairman. SGT Jacoby attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

In May 2003, SGT Jacoby was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Training Company at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Upon completion of the Basic Mission Qualification Course, he was assigned as a Helicopter Repairman for 3rd Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. In February 2004, he was reassigned within the battalion to Bravo Company as a CH-47D Flight Engineer.

SGT Jacoby was a graduate of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, Basic Mission Qualification Course, and the Heavy Helicopter Repairman Course.

SGT Jacoby's awards and decorations include the Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Aviation Badge, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Rifle). He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (w/"V" device), Army Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

SGT Jacoby is survived by his parents. Hangar #7902 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, is dedicated in honor of the crew of Aircraft Tail #146 as Turbine 33 Hangar. He was laid to rest at a private burial location.