Naval Special Warfare

Willits Navy SEAL officially listed as killed in Afghanistan

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday released the names of the 30 American troops who died in the Aug. 6 helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

Among them was U.S. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Willits.

The 30 service members, seven Afghan commandos, an interpreter, a US. Army aircrew and U.S. Air Force para-rescue and combat controllers were aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter when it was shot down over the Wardak province of Afghanistan early Saturday morning. They were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, according to the USDOD.

"Naval Special Welfare suffered a tremendous loss of 22 men while conducting critical special operations combat in Afghanistan," said Rear Admiral Sean A. Pybus, commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command. "They cannot be replaced. We will honor their service and sacrifice, and embrace their families as our own in this time of immeasurable grief."

Of the American troops who died in the crash, 22 were Navy SEALs, including Pittman, a former firefighter who lived in Willits.

Pittman was also a decorated service member, according to a Thursday statement from the U.S. Navy's Special Warfare Group One for the West Coast. His awards include a joint service commendation medal with a "V" device for valor; two Navy commendation medals; a combat action ribbon; an Afghanistan campaign medal; an Iraq campaign medal, a Global War on Terrorism expeditionary medal; a Global War of Terrorism service medal; a good conduct medal; a national defense service medal; a sea service deployment ribbon; a rifle marksmanship medal; and a pistol marksmanship medal.

Pittman graduated from Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill. in October 2005, then reported to the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Md. After completing that training, Pittman went on to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in March 2006. He graduated from SEAL training and reported to the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Center at Coronado, Ca. From there, he went to the Naval Special Warfare Training Center Detachment at Kodiak, Alaska, then returned to the NSW Advanced Training Center at Coronado, Ca. in January 2007. In April of the same year he reported to a West Coast-based SEAL team.

"We grieve for all of them and admire their teamwork, commitment and courage," Pybus stated.

WPVets.org | Naval Special Warfare Personnel Killed In Helicopter ...

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) — Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, released the following statement Aug. 11:

“Early Saturday morning, Aug. 6, Naval Special Warfare suffered a tremendous loss of 22 men while conducting critical special operations combat in Afghanistan. They cannot be replaced. We will honor their service and sacrifice, and embrace their families as our own, in this time of immeasurable grief. The outpouring of support and sympathy from the Armed Services, the Government, Communities and the Public is well beyond my ability to properly thank. The Naval Special Warfare Community is deeply humbled and appreciative.

“Our NSW men were in company with U.S. Army aircrew, U.S. Air Force para-rescue and combat controllers, and an Afghan security element. We grieve for all of them, and admire their teamwork, commitment and courage. I have great hope for the future knowing that extraordinary men dedicate themselves completely to the idea and the actions of freedom and security, not only for ourselves but for others. We are truly blessed that such men answer a call to military service at the highest levels of professionalism and capability, but also deeply saddened by their loss. In the days and weeks ahead, I would ask for your thoughts, prayers and support for NSW, our Families, the Special Operations Community, and all of our Armed Forces.”

For more news from Naval Special Warfare, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsw/ .

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