Petty Officer 2nd Class James Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, Fla., was killed while conducting combat operations when the MH-47 helicopter that they were aboard crashed in the vicinity of Asadabad, Afghanistan in Kumar Province on June 28. He was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He attended Deerfield Beach High School Even then he knew he wanted to be a Navy SEAL. Born Sung Gap Suh to Korean immigrants in 1977, Suh was brought up by his single father, Solomon Suh. Academics was a priority for him at Deerfield Beach High School, but Suh also starred on the tennis and swim teams. He attended many classes for advanced and gifted students. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Statistics at the University of Florida in 1999. Early in high school, Suh set his mind on becoming a Navy SEAL. Then his best friend, Erik Esposito was accidentally shot and killed by another teen. Suh rushed to the side of Erik's mother. James, then 15, sat with his friend's mother, comforting her with his faith and belief in an afterlife. He then went off to the University of Florida, but stayed close to Erik's mom. He called her "Mom" and legally changed his name to James Erik, taking her son's name. Suh graduated in 1999, joined the Navy and became a SEAL in 2001. Although he wanted to become a veterinarian, he instead joined the Navy. After basic airborne training in Georgia, and more SEAL training in Coronado and Panama City Beach, Fla., he joined SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 1, 2002. James was one of 16 Americans killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan during a mission to rescue other American troops. His awards include the Bronze Star (with Combat V), Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.