Joe Wilson will forever be a hero for one soldier and his family from Ohio. Joe Mlinar will always give thanks for Wilson, and what he did to help save his life. The two men were two of 36 soldiers in the Army Chinook helicopter that slowly left central Iraq. They were on leave and flying home to see their families. The two had been friends since they both arrived at Fort Sill 2001. They were sitting side by side when the helicopter was hit. There was a flash, then an explosion, then a shower of debris inside and outside the helicopter. As they fell through the air, Wilson cradled Mlinar's head, pulling him deep into his chest. Then, Mlinar's world turned black. Mlinar awoke lying face down on the ground. He tried to crawl away from the burning wreckage of the crash, but couldn't, his left leg was broken in two places. A medic then found him, and slung Mlinar over his shoulder, away from the still burning helicopter. Mlinar was put down next to a friendly face. Wilson was next to him, his eyes open, and he was seemingly aware of his surroundings. "You OK, man?" Mlinar asked. Wilson shook his head no. Mlinar and Wilson were then separated. Mlinar recovered in a hospital in Germany, while Wilson later died in a hospital in Kuwait. Wilson's last act was one of heroism and should be remembered. Joe was a graduate of Crystal Springs High School where he played football. He is survived by wife, Erica, and a daughter, and his mother, Maxine Adams. He was 30.
Army
2nd Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Army
2nd Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Joe Wilson will forever be a hero for one soldier and his family from Ohio. Joe Mlinar will always give thanks for Wilson, and what he did to help save his life. The two men were two of 36 soldiers in the Army Chinook helicopter that slowly left central Iraq. They were on leave and flying home to see their families. The two had been friends since they both arrived at Fort Sill 2001. They were sitting side by side when the helicopter was hit. There was a flash, then an explosion, then a shower of debris inside and outside the helicopter. As they fell through the air, Wilson cradled Mlinar's head, pulling him deep into his chest. Then, Mlinar's world turned black. Mlinar awoke lying face down on the ground. He tried to crawl away from the burning wreckage of the crash, but couldn't, his left leg was broken in two places. A medic then found him, and slung Mlinar over his shoulder, away from the still burning helicopter. Mlinar was put down next to a friendly face. Wilson was next to him, his eyes open, and he was seemingly aware of his surroundings. "You OK, man?" Mlinar asked. Wilson shook his head no. Mlinar and Wilson were then separated. Mlinar recovered in a hospital in Germany, while Wilson later died in a hospital in Kuwait. Wilson's last act was one of heroism and should be remembered. Joe was a graduate of Crystal Springs High School where he played football. He is survived by wife, Erica, and a daughter, and his mother, Maxine Adams. He was 30.
Army
2nd Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Army
2nd Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
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