Major Steve Reich ~ Night Stalker

Major Steve Reich

Major Stephen C. Reich died June 28, 2005, in eastern Afghanistan when his MH-47D Helicopter was shot down by enemy fire during combat operations. He was a member of the Army 160th SOAR team.

He was born May 22, 1971 in Ohio, and was raised in Washington, Connecticut. He graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Arabic and Spanish, and received his commission in 1993. In 1994, he attended the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.

In 1995, Steve was assigned to the University of Kentucky ROTC program, and played professional baseball in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

After receiving a UH-60 Blackhawk transition in 1996, he was ordered to Germany where he served as Platoon Leader in Company A, 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment. During his subsequent tour with the 12th Aviation Brigade he served in Operation ALLIED FORCE deploying to Hungary, Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo. Returning from Germany in 2000, Major Reich attended the Infantry Captain's Career Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia, followed by the Combined Arms Services Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon arrival to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, he attended the Special Operations Training Course and then deployed with 2nd Battalion to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as Battle Captain in support of Task Force Dagger. In December 2001, he served as Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion's detachment of MH-47E aircraft in Afghanistan. He commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion from February 2002 through May 2003. Major Reich recently completed a one year assignment to Taegu, Republic of Korea as the Operations Officer for E Company, 160th SOAR (A). Steve took command of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia on 5 August 2004.

Major Reich's military schools include: Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Level-C Course, the Special Operations Training Course, the Airborne School, and Air Assault Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Airborne and Air Assault Badges. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with “V” device, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Major Reich is survived by his wife, Jill, of Panama City, Florida.

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