Fitzmorris, Joseph Patrick-newman

Joseph Patrick-Newman Fitzmorris was a 31-year-old U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class from West Monroe, Louisiana. He served with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15), known as the 'Blackhawks,' a unit specializing in airborne mine countermeasures using the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter.

On July 19, 2012, Fitzmorris was one of two crew members killed when their MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea approximately 55 nautical miles southwest of Muscat, Oman. The aircraft was conducting a routine training mission in support of maritime security operations. Two other crew members were rescued. The U.S. Navy stated the cause of the crash was under investigation.

The crash occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. While primarily focused on Afghanistan, the operation's maritime component, Combined Maritime Forces, conducted security and counter-terrorism operations across the Middle East, including the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

The Navy recovered the bodies of Fitzmorris and the other deceased sailor, Petty Officer Second Class Class Sean P. Sullivan. The Department of Defense announced their deaths on July 21, 2012. Fitzmorris was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Fitzmorris is memorialized on the Navy Memorial's 'Roll of Honor' and at the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum. He was one of 2,356 U.S. service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Joseph Fitzmorris 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.

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