Sergeant Rhonald E. Meeks died on 1 June 2006 when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was flying in crashed near Doerun, Georgia, during a training flight from his unit's home station at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, to Fort Rucker, Alabama.

SGT Meeks was born on 12 July 1977 in Weatherford, Texas. He graduated in 1995 from Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army on 25 October 2002 as a Heavy Helicopter Repairman. After completing Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, he was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Training Company at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Upon completion of the Basic Mission Qualification Course in May 2003, SGT Meeks was assigned to 3rd Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, where he served as a Helicopter Repairman and then an MH-47D Flight Engineer.

A veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, SGT Meeks deployed three times in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan.

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

SGT Meeks' awards and decorations include the Air Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

SGT Meeks is survived by his wife, Alissa; daughter, Ella; parents, Mickey and Gaye; and brother, Randy. He is laid to rest in Mineral Wells, Texas, at Woodland Park Cemetery and at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 64, Site 2205.