CPT Cooper was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary heroism on 21 February, 1991 while serving as alternate air mission commander of an MH-60L Blackhawk helicopter during Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia. Responding to a request for an urgent medical evacuation deep in enemy territory under zero illumination, CPT Cooper flew his aircraft at an extremely low altitude to evade the air defense artillery threat. In spite of dense fog, which he could not increase altitude to avoid and against which his night vision equipment was useless, he continued his mission by relying on his experience using navigational instruments and extracted a badly wounded soldier.
While returning to the medical facility, he encountered a sandstorm and lost visual reference with the ground. Their aircraft, #251, crashed and he selflessly gave his life for his country.
He was married to Emily Cooper and had two children, Clare and Logan.
CPT Cooper was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary heroism on 21 February, 1991 while serving as alternate air mission commander of an MH-60L Blackhawk helicopter during Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia. Responding to a request for an urgent medical evacuation deep in enemy territory under zero illumination, CPT Cooper flew his aircraft at an extremely low altitude to evade the air defense artillery threat. In spite of dense fog, which he could not increase altitude to avoid and against which his night vision equipment was useless, he continued his mission by relying on his experience using navigational instruments and extracted a badly wounded soldier.
While returning to the medical facility, he encountered a sandstorm and lost visual reference with the ground. Their aircraft, #251, crashed and he selflessly gave his life for his country.
He was married to Emily Cooper and had two children, Clare and Logan.
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