Mchone, Nathan Ronald
Male
Verified Capt. Nathan Ronald Mchone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, was a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot. He was killed in action on January 19, 2012, in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Nathan Ronald Mchone was a 29-year-old Marine Corps captain from Crystal Lake, Illinois. He served as a pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), known as the 'Red Lions,' part of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
On January 19, 2012, Capt. Mchone was piloting a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter on a mission in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. According to U.S. military reports, the aircraft crashed in the Musa Qala district. The incident killed Mchone and three other Marines: Capt. Daniel B. Bartle, 27; Sgt. Joseph D. D'Augustine, 29; and Cpl. Jonathan D. Porto, 26. The Department of Defense stated the cause was not due to enemy fire.
Mchone's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2012, the conflict was in its eleventh year, with Helmand province a focal point of intense combat and counterinsurgency operations involving U.S. Marines and allied forces.
Following the crash, the Marines initiated an investigation. The Department of Defense officially announced the casualties on January 20, 2012. Mchone's remains were returned to the United States, and he was buried with full military honors.
Capt. Mchone is memorialized on the 'Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom' page maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense. His squadron, HMH-363, continues to bear the call sign 'Red Lions.'
Explore Further
Capt. Nathan Mchone 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.
