Sgt. Rhonald E. Meeks died June 1, 2006, when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was flying in crashed near Doerun, Ga., during a training flight from his unit’s home station at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., to Fort Rucker, Ala.
He was born July 12, 1977, in Weatherford, Texas, and graduated from Western Hills High School, Fort Worth, Texas, in 1995. Meeks enlisted in the Army on Oct. 25, 2002, as a heavy helicopter repairman. After completing basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., he was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Training Company. Upon completion of the Basic Mission Qualification Course, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., in May 2003 where he served as a helicopter repairman and then a MH-47D flight engineer.
A veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, Meeks deployed three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Meeks’ military training includes the Survival Evade Resist Escape Course, the Basic Mission Qualification Course and the Heavy Helicopter Repairman Course. His awards and decorations include the Air Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Aviation Badge. Meeks was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Meeks is survived by his wife, Alissa,; his parents, Mikey and Gaye Meeks of Fort Worth, Texas; and his brother, Randy Meeks of Norfolk, Va.
