R.I.P. CWO4 Michael Montgomery

(Taken from www.legacy.com) Michael P. MONTGOMERY Chief Warrant Office Four, Michael P. Montgomery, 36, died October 26, 2009, when his MH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in Western Afghanistan. Michael enlisted in the Army National Guard in October 1991.

In 1995 he applied and was accepted to the Army Warrant Officer Candidate School and graduated from Flight school in 1996. He was a dedicated soldier and pilot serving in many different positions while assigned to the 185th Aviation Regiment at Camp Murray, WA.

He received his Bachelors of Science Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 2002. In October 2004 he was assigned as the senior instructor pilot and Instrument Flight Examiner at the Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Arizona.

In 2006, he applied for and was accepted into an active duty position with the 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment Nightstalkers in Savannah, Georgia. While he was assigned there, he served as an electronic warfare officer, instructor pilot and instrument flight examiner. He was qualified in the UH-60 Blackhawk and was a Scout Pilot and an instrument pilot in the OH-58 Kiowa and MH-47G Chinook. He was a combat veteran with seven deployments, two in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and five in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Michael received numerous awards including the Air Medal, two Army commendation medals, the Army achievement medal,4 Army Reserve component Achievement medals, 2 national Defense Service Medals, Afghanistan campaign Medal - Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and the Senior Aviator Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal.

He was proud to serve his country as a Nightstalker aviator, performing the most challenging and dangerous training and missions in support of US Special Operations, and living the motto that "Nightstalkers Don't Quit".

Michael was a devoted and loving father to his son Riley and a beloved best friend and husband to his wife Anita. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Montgomery; father Mark Montgomery; brother Merrill (Sokhaley) Kincade; and a large extended family.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service in his honor, Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 am, at St. Jude Parish, 10526 - 166th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052. A Visitation will take place, Friday, November 6, 2009 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm, Sunset Hills Funeral Home, 1215 - 145th Place SE, Bellevue, WA 98007.

Remembrances may be shared at www.mem.com.