Bartle, Daniel Benjamin
Male
Verified Capt. Daniel Benjamin Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Washington, was a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot. He was killed in a helicopter crash in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on January 19, 2012.
Their Story
Daniel Benjamin Bartle was a captain in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), the 'Red Lions.' The squadron was part of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. Bartle, a native of Ferndale, Washington, was 27 years old at the time of his deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On January 19, 2012, a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter crashed during a night training mission in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. The crash occurred in the Musa Qala district, a region of significant insurgent activity. All six U.S. Marines on board were killed. The Department of Defense stated the cause was not enemy fire, but an investigation reportedly pointed to a possible mechanical failure.
Bartle's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By 2012, the conflict was in its eleventh year, with a major focus on counterinsurgency and training Afghan forces in provinces like Helmand, a traditional Taliban stronghold.
The crash that killed Bartle and five other Marines was the deadliest single incident for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in over four months. The Marines were publicly identified by the Department of Defense. Memorial services were held in Hawaii and in Bartle's home state of Washington, where he was remembered by family, friends, and fellow service members.
Capt. Daniel Bartle's name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and on other local memorials. His squadron, HMH-363, continued its mission, and the CH-53D model he flew was retired from active Marine Corps service later in 2012.
Explore Further
Capt. Daniel Bartle was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001?2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
