Navy SEAL From Md. Dies In Afghanistan Air Crash

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A Navy SEAL from Maryland was among those killed last week when a U.S. military helicopter crashed during a firefight with insurgents in a remote area of southern Afghanistan, Pentagon officials said.

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks of Edgewater was among seven Americans and four Afghans killed in the helicopter crash northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan on Thursday.

Feeks, 28, was one of two Navy SEALS to die in the crash; the other was Special Warfare Operator Second Class David J. Warsen of Kentwood, Mich. Both were assigned to a Special Warfare unit located in Coronado, Calif.

Capt. Collin P. Green, Naval Special Warfare Group One's commander, praised Feeks and Warsen in a statement as "great warriors, teammates and friends to many of us in the Naval Special Warfare community."

Feeks enlisted in the Navy in 2006, and then completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and advance training. He had served with a West Coast-based SEAL unit since May 2008.

A Navy news release says his awards and decorations include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He previously served in the Iraqi war.

He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Virginia, and by his wife, Emily.

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