SSG Field was born in Lisbon, Maine on 11 April, 1968 and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1986. After enlisting in the Army in 1987, he attended training to become a UH-Blackhawk helicopter repairer. He then attended Airborne School and was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). SSG Field participated in U.S. actions in Panama, Southwest Asia, and many other worldwide missions.
It was his love for things mechanical and the need to work with his hands that lead him to become a Blackhawk crew chief to achieve that goal. His creativity, initiative and passion for life made him an exceptional person and enabled him to excel. His selfless service and love for his country were undeniably first and foremost in his heart.
His numerous awards include: Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with “V” device, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, four Army Achievement Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Aircrewman’s Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
He was killed in Mogadishu, Somalia on 2 October, 1993 during operation Gothic Serpent when his aircraft, #188, was called into a hot landing zone to extract wounded fellow Night Stalkers. On short final, and in the landing zone, they took extremely effective fire and were directed to depart the area. On departure, they received RPG fire, which ultimately knocked the aircraft down approximately 2,000 meters away. Shortly, the crash site and all individuals were overrun.
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