Major Stephen C. Reich 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.

MAJ Reich was born on 22 May 1971 in Ohio, and was raised in Washington, Connecticut. He graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Arabic and Spanish and received his commission in 1993. In 1994, he attended the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary Wing training. In 1995, he was assigned to the University of Kentucky ROTC program and played professional baseball in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

After receiving a UH-60 Black Hawk transition course in 1996, MAJ Reich was ordered to Germany, where he served as Platoon Leader in Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment. During his subsequent tour with the 12th Aviation Brigade, he served in Operation ALLIED FORCE and deployed to Hungary, Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo.

Returning from Germany in 2000, MAJ Reich attended the Infantry Officer Advance Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by the Combined Arms Services Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon arrival to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), he was assigned to 2nd Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and later deployed to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in October 2001 as Battle Captain in support of Task Force Dagger. In December 2001, he served as Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion's detachment of MH-47E aircraft in Afghanistan. He commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion from February 2002 through May 2003. MAJ Reich then completed a one-year assignment to Daegu, Republic of Korea, as the Operations Officer for Echo Company, 160th SOAR(Abn). He took command of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR(Abn), Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, on 5 August 2004.

MAJ Reich's military education includes the Airborne Basic Course, Air Assault Course, UH-60 Aviator Qualification Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, and the Special Operations Training Course.

MAJ Reich's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/3 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (w/"V" Device), and the Combat Action Badge.

MAJ Reich is survived by his wife, Jill; his parents, Raymond and Sue; and two sisters, Megan and AnnMarie. The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, company office, building #7259c, on GEN Brown Compound at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is dedicated in his honor as Reich Hall and Hangar #7902 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, is dedicated in honor of the crew of Aircraft Tail #146 as Turbine 33 Hangar.