Fort Campbell dedicates memorial to nine soldiers killed in 2023 helicopter crash

The soldiers were killed in Trigg County during nightside training mission on March 29, 2023.
Fort Campbell revealed a memorial on Thursday for the nine soldiers killed in a helicopter crash last year.
Published: Mar. 28, 2024 at 6:57 PM CDT
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WSMV) - Fort Campbell revealed its monument Thursday for nine fallen service members who died in a helicopter crash last year.

The 101st Airborne Division dedicated the monument at a ceremony attended by family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

The nine “Screaming Eagles” were killed during a nighttime training mission March 29, 2023, when their helicopters collided over Trigg County.

“To permanently and forever recognize the sacrifice of those soldiers on that day is super important for us,” Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler, of the 101st Airborne, said.

The granite monument, showing each soldiers’ face and name, stands at Memorial Row. A bronze flight helmet sits on a pedestal just in front of it.

“This monument will stand at sentinel, unmoving, unchanging, to commemorate our nine fallen and ensure all future Dust Off will know the names and faces of our fallen brother and sister,” Company Commander Maj. Garrett W Kuipers said to the audience.

The Gold Star Families placed a yellow rose at the base of the ceremony, before other attendees placed tokens of appreciation at the monument.