Unit: 160th Special Operations Regiment, Super Six-One
CWO3 Dovovan L. "Bill" Briley, a native of North Little Rock and a graduate of North Little Rock Ole Main High School, attended the University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas-Little Rock. His name appears on the new veterans memorial at UCA.
Briley joined the Army Reserve through UALR where he was recruited for flight school in Fort Rucker, Ala. Briley was following in the footsteps of other members of his family who served in the military. His father is a veteran and his brothers served, too. His oldest brother, James “Duke” Briley, achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“Bull” was a childhood nickname he was given because he was “stubborn,” his widow, Sharri, laughingly explained. “He was always trying to make himself better; always studying,” she said. He was a member of the Special Forces and completed training in Texas specifically for his deployment.
Briley went on active duty in 1987 and was assigned to South Korea, leaving when Jordan was two weeks old. He remained there for a year and was selected as a candidate for duty with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group. Following an assessment and completion of rigorous training, he became a member of the group. In 1989, he was assigned to Panama as part of Operation Just Cause, and when he returned, he brought with him an M-16 knife. His wife had a shadow box made for the knife with a plaque commemorating the Operation.
Jordan said her father was “away a lot,” but the times he was at home, he was very involved with her. She said they played outside often, her dad accompanying her when she’d ride her bike in the woods behind their home when they were stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. When she was 3, her dad bought her a puppy and named him Flint. He was part wolf, and Jordan laughed recalling that that was typical of her father, bringing home a wolf pup to a 3-year-old child. She added that her father was “anything but conventional. He wasn’t serious.”
In 1993, Briley was training for another mission when he got the call that the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group was headed to Somalia in three days’ time as part of a Joint Special Operations Task Force. It was called Task Force Ranger, a collaboration of various elite forces.
Providing aviation support to the ground forces that were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission was the objective. Briley was in the first Black Hawk helicopter that was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. He and the other pilot died in the crash.
Over his career, CW3 Briley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2), Air Medal with “V” Devices (2), Air Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Army Service Medal.
Bio Credits: C. Ishee
∼CW3 Donavan "Bull" Briley grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from flight school in 1985 and joined the Army Reserve. Later that year, he was piloting Drug Enforcement Administration agents and state troopers on a marijuana detection mission when the helicopter crashed. He sustained burns and back injuries, but within four months, was back up flying.
He served the Army in South Korea before joining the 160th. He again displayed his courage and unwavering focus during action in Panama in 1989. His steady demeanor in the whirl of combat could be relied upon regardless of the intensity of the moment. He was truly a gifted pilot. His main interest was always studying for how he could better himself. He was always trying to be a better pilot.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in action during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia on 3 October, 1993 in operation Gothic Serpent. His actions as the pilot of an assault into a highly contested urban objective were heroic. After a brilliant assault of the objective, he held his position and fought to support the ground forces during their actions. His aircraft, #324, was subsequently downed by enemy fire and, through his exceptional skill, the passengers' lives were saved.
During his career, some of his awards include two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two Air Medals with "V" devices, two Air Medals.
He was married to Sharri Briley and had one daughter, Jordan.
CWO3 Dovovan L. "Bill" Briley, a native of North Little Rock and a graduate of North Little Rock Ole Main High School, attended the University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas-Little Rock. His name appears on the new veterans memorial at UCA.
Briley joined the Army Reserve through UALR where he was recruited for flight school in Fort Rucker, Ala. Briley was following in the footsteps of other members of his family who served in the military. His father is a veteran and his brothers served, too. His oldest brother, James “Duke” Briley, achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“Bull” was a childhood nickname he was given because he was “stubborn,” his widow, Sharri, laughingly explained. “He was always trying to make himself better; always studying,” she said. He was a member of the Special Forces and completed training in Texas specifically for his deployment.
Briley went on active duty in 1987 and was assigned to South Korea, leaving when Jordan was two weeks old. He remained there for a year and was selected as a candidate for duty with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group. Following an assessment and completion of rigorous training, he became a member of the group. In 1989, he was assigned to Panama as part of Operation Just Cause, and when he returned, he brought with him an M-16 knife. His wife had a shadow box made for the knife with a plaque commemorating the Operation.
Jordan said her father was “away a lot,” but the times he was at home, he was very involved with her. She said they played outside often, her dad accompanying her when she’d ride her bike in the woods behind their home when they were stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. When she was 3, her dad bought her a puppy and named him Flint. He was part wolf, and Jordan laughed recalling that that was typical of her father, bringing home a wolf pup to a 3-year-old child. She added that her father was “anything but conventional. He wasn’t serious.”
In 1993, Briley was training for another mission when he got the call that the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group was headed to Somalia in three days’ time as part of a Joint Special Operations Task Force. It was called Task Force Ranger, a collaboration of various elite forces.
Providing aviation support to the ground forces that were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission was the objective. Briley was in the first Black Hawk helicopter that was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. He and the other pilot died in the crash.
Over his career, CW3 Briley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2), Air Medal with “V” Devices (2), Air Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Army Service Medal.
Bio Credits: C. Ishee
∼CW3 Donavan "Bull" Briley grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from flight school in 1985 and joined the Army Reserve. Later that year, he was piloting Drug Enforcement Administration agents and state troopers on a marijuana detection mission when the helicopter crashed. He sustained burns and back injuries, but within four months, was back up flying.
He served the Army in South Korea before joining the 160th. He again displayed his courage and unwavering focus during action in Panama in 1989. His steady demeanor in the whirl of combat could be relied upon regardless of the intensity of the moment. He was truly a gifted pilot. His main interest was always studying for how he could better himself. He was always trying to be a better pilot.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in action during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia on 3 October, 1993 in operation Gothic Serpent. His actions as the pilot of an assault into a highly contested urban objective were heroic. After a brilliant assault of the objective, he held his position and fought to support the ground forces during their actions. His aircraft, #324, was subsequently downed by enemy fire and, through his exceptional skill, the passengers' lives were saved.
During his career, some of his awards include two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two Air Medals with "V" devices, two Air Medals.
He was married to Sharri Briley and had one daughter, Jordan.
Unit: 160th Special Operations Regiment, Super Six-One
CWO3 Dovovan L. "Bill" Briley, a native of North Little Rock and a graduate of North Little Rock Ole Main High School, attended the University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas-Little Rock. His name appears on the new veterans memorial at UCA.
Briley joined the Army Reserve through UALR where he was recruited for flight school in Fort Rucker, Ala. Briley was following in the footsteps of other members of his family who served in the military. His father is a veteran and his brothers served, too. His oldest brother, James “Duke” Briley, achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“Bull” was a childhood nickname he was given because he was “stubborn,” his widow, Sharri, laughingly explained. “He was always trying to make himself better; always studying,” she said. He was a member of the Special Forces and completed training in Texas specifically for his deployment.
Briley went on active duty in 1987 and was assigned to South Korea, leaving when Jordan was two weeks old. He remained there for a year and was selected as a candidate for duty with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group. Following an assessment and completion of rigorous training, he became a member of the group. In 1989, he was assigned to Panama as part of Operation Just Cause, and when he returned, he brought with him an M-16 knife. His wife had a shadow box made for the knife with a plaque commemorating the Operation.
Jordan said her father was “away a lot,” but the times he was at home, he was very involved with her. She said they played outside often, her dad accompanying her when she’d ride her bike in the woods behind their home when they were stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. When she was 3, her dad bought her a puppy and named him Flint. He was part wolf, and Jordan laughed recalling that that was typical of her father, bringing home a wolf pup to a 3-year-old child. She added that her father was “anything but conventional. He wasn’t serious.”
In 1993, Briley was training for another mission when he got the call that the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group was headed to Somalia in three days’ time as part of a Joint Special Operations Task Force. It was called Task Force Ranger, a collaboration of various elite forces.
Providing aviation support to the ground forces that were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission was the objective. Briley was in the first Black Hawk helicopter that was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. He and the other pilot died in the crash.
Over his career, CW3 Briley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2), Air Medal with “V” Devices (2), Air Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Army Service Medal.
Bio Credits: C. Ishee
∼CW3 Donavan "Bull" Briley grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from flight school in 1985 and joined the Army Reserve. Later that year, he was piloting Drug Enforcement Administration agents and state troopers on a marijuana detection mission when the helicopter crashed. He sustained burns and back injuries, but within four months, was back up flying.
He served the Army in South Korea before joining the 160th. He again displayed his courage and unwavering focus during action in Panama in 1989. His steady demeanor in the whirl of combat could be relied upon regardless of the intensity of the moment. He was truly a gifted pilot. His main interest was always studying for how he could better himself. He was always trying to be a better pilot.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in action during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia on 3 October, 1993 in operation Gothic Serpent. His actions as the pilot of an assault into a highly contested urban objective were heroic. After a brilliant assault of the objective, he held his position and fought to support the ground forces during their actions. His aircraft, #324, was subsequently downed by enemy fire and, through his exceptional skill, the passengers' lives were saved.
During his career, some of his awards include two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two Air Medals with "V" devices, two Air Medals.
He was married to Sharri Briley and had one daughter, Jordan.
CWO3 Dovovan L. "Bill" Briley, a native of North Little Rock and a graduate of North Little Rock Ole Main High School, attended the University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas-Little Rock. His name appears on the new veterans memorial at UCA.
Briley joined the Army Reserve through UALR where he was recruited for flight school in Fort Rucker, Ala. Briley was following in the footsteps of other members of his family who served in the military. His father is a veteran and his brothers served, too. His oldest brother, James “Duke” Briley, achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“Bull” was a childhood nickname he was given because he was “stubborn,” his widow, Sharri, laughingly explained. “He was always trying to make himself better; always studying,” she said. He was a member of the Special Forces and completed training in Texas specifically for his deployment.
Briley went on active duty in 1987 and was assigned to South Korea, leaving when Jordan was two weeks old. He remained there for a year and was selected as a candidate for duty with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group. Following an assessment and completion of rigorous training, he became a member of the group. In 1989, he was assigned to Panama as part of Operation Just Cause, and when he returned, he brought with him an M-16 knife. His wife had a shadow box made for the knife with a plaque commemorating the Operation.
Jordan said her father was “away a lot,” but the times he was at home, he was very involved with her. She said they played outside often, her dad accompanying her when she’d ride her bike in the woods behind their home when they were stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. When she was 3, her dad bought her a puppy and named him Flint. He was part wolf, and Jordan laughed recalling that that was typical of her father, bringing home a wolf pup to a 3-year-old child. She added that her father was “anything but conventional. He wasn’t serious.”
In 1993, Briley was training for another mission when he got the call that the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group was headed to Somalia in three days’ time as part of a Joint Special Operations Task Force. It was called Task Force Ranger, a collaboration of various elite forces.
Providing aviation support to the ground forces that were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission was the objective. Briley was in the first Black Hawk helicopter that was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. He and the other pilot died in the crash.
Over his career, CW3 Briley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2), Air Medal with “V” Devices (2), Air Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Army Service Medal.
Bio Credits: C. Ishee
∼CW3 Donavan "Bull" Briley grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from flight school in 1985 and joined the Army Reserve. Later that year, he was piloting Drug Enforcement Administration agents and state troopers on a marijuana detection mission when the helicopter crashed. He sustained burns and back injuries, but within four months, was back up flying.
He served the Army in South Korea before joining the 160th. He again displayed his courage and unwavering focus during action in Panama in 1989. His steady demeanor in the whirl of combat could be relied upon regardless of the intensity of the moment. He was truly a gifted pilot. His main interest was always studying for how he could better himself. He was always trying to be a better pilot.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in action during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia on 3 October, 1993 in operation Gothic Serpent. His actions as the pilot of an assault into a highly contested urban objective were heroic. After a brilliant assault of the objective, he held his position and fought to support the ground forces during their actions. His aircraft, #324, was subsequently downed by enemy fire and, through his exceptional skill, the passengers' lives were saved.
During his career, some of his awards include two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two Air Medals with "V" devices, two Air Medals.
He was married to Sharri Briley and had one daughter, Jordan.
