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Identity of soldier killed in Fort Polk helicopter crash released

One killed, eleven injured in Humvee rollover at Fort Polk
Posted at 7:00 PM, Sep 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-27 20:04:25-04

FORT POLK — Officials at Fort Polk have released the name of the soldier killed in a helicopter crash Thursday.

According to Fort Polk, at around 12:50 a.m. September 26, a soldier from the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk's 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment was killed in a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter accident during a JRTC rotation within the Fort Polk training area. Three other soldiers were injured in that crash.

Officials have identified Maj. Trevor Joseph, the Company Commander of C Company, 1-5 AVN, the MEDEVAC unit known across the Army as "Cajun Dustoff," as the soldier killed in the crash. Maj. Joseph, is from Collierville, Tennessee.

Joseph was commissioned in 2008 as a medical services officer and began service to the U.S. Army as a pilot. Maj. Joseph took command of C Company, 1-5 AVN in July 2018. In his career, he was deployed twice to combat in Afghanistan (2010 and 2017). He was previously stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas (2015-2017), Fort Rucker, Alabama (2011-2013), and Fort Bragg, North Carolina (2008-2010).

Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Valor, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Senior Service Medal.

"The Army, JRTC and Fort Polk, and 1-5 AVN have lost an exceptional leader, warrior, officer, and pilot. Maj. Trevor Joseph led the most active MEDEVAC Company in our Army; he excelled leading Cajun Dustoff and ensuring Soldiers in rotation at JRTC had rapid access to medical coverage - his team built readiness for the U.S. Army," said Brigadier General Patrick D. Frank, Commanding General of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk. "Trevor's spouse, Erin, and his entire Family are in our thoughts and prayers. All 8,000 Soldiers assigned to JRTC and Fort Polk salute Maj. Joseph and his proud service to our Army and Nation."

Maj. Joseph is survived by his wife, Mrs. Erin Joseph.

The three injured Soldiers are in stable condition. The cause of the crash is under investigation.