Friend Remembers Late Army Paratrooper Who Aided Fox News Reporter, Afghans, and Helene Victims
Friends and fellow veterans are honoring the legacy of a late Army paratrooper whose defining ethos in moments of peril was a simple phrase: “Send me.” From the chaotic evacuation of Kabul to the war-torn outskirts of Kyiv and the storm-ravaged mountains of North Carolina, the decorated veteran repeatedly answered the call to rescue others in their darkest hours.
The late Army paratrooper earned widespread admiration within the veteran and humanitarian communities for stepping up during high-stakes crises. Known for his selflessness and bias toward action, his passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes from those whose lives he directly impacted.
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A Life Defined by the Motto: ‘Send Me’
Those closest to the former airborne soldier say he embodied the biblical creed of Isaiah 6:8—”Here am I; send me.” Throughout his military service and his post-uniform humanitarian work, he sought out missions where help was scarce and the danger was acute.
“He never waited for someone else to step forward,” a close friend and fellow veteran recalled. “Whenever disaster struck, whether on foreign soil or right here at home, his response was always immediate. He didn’t ask questions about the risks; he just packed his gear and went.”
His peers described him as a skilled operator with deep empathy, pairing rigorous tactical training with a quiet devotion to protecting civilians and supporting fellow service members.
Rescuing Wounded Journalists and Afghan Allies
Among his most perilous missions was his involvement in the broader network of veteran-led efforts that supported the rescue of Fox News foreign correspondent Benjamin Hall in March 2022. Hall was critically injured when his news crew was attacked by Russian artillery outside Kyiv, Ukraine, an assault that killed veteran cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and Ukrainian producer Oleksandra Kuvshynova. The paratrooper contributed his expertise to coordinate security, ground movements, and evacuation corridors that successfully brought Hall home.
Prior to his work in Eastern Europe, the veteran played an active role during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. As Kabul fell to the Taliban, veteran volunteer networks mobilized to guide at-risk Afghan allies, interpreters, and American citizens safely through airport perimeter gates under immediate threat of insurgent violence.
Comrades noted that his ability to navigate chaotic environments and maintain composure under fire proved decisive in saving countless lives during the non-combatant evacuation operation.
Deploying to Aid Hurricane Helene Victims
When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and parts of eastern Tennessee in late September 2024, the veteran once again answered the call. Catastrophic flash flooding wiped out entire towns, washed away bridges, and left mountain communities isolated without water, food, or power.
Drawing on airborne supply coordination and off-grid logistics, the late Army paratrooper mobilized with grassroots relief groups to deliver life-saving supplies, clear mountain roads, and conduct wellness checks on trapped families.
“He treated the disaster in Appalachia with the same urgency as a combat deployment,” said a relief volunteer who worked alongside him in the field. “He was cutting through downed timber, carrying supplies up washed-out trails, and checking on elderly residents who had no way to call for help.”
A Lasting Impact on the Veteran Community
The passing of the veteran has left a profound void across non-governmental organizations, humanitarian networks, and airborne brotherhoods. Memorial gatherings and private services have drawn volunteers, military peers, and survivors whom he helped extract from danger zones.
Colleagues emphasize that his legacy will continue through the standard he set for civilian-led humanitarian action. Many who served alongside him credit his mentorship with inspiring them to establish permanent disaster relief pipelines and veteran support initiatives.
What Happens Next
Fellow veterans and community members are organizing memorial funds and charitable drives in his honor to support his family and continue funding disaster response missions. Aid groups operating in western North Carolina have pledged to maintain ongoing recovery projects in the region as a living tribute to his commitment to service.
For those who worked beside the late Army paratrooper, remembering him means carrying forward his core philosophy: answering the call to serve whenever duty demands, without hesitation.
