2001 National Guard crash

Michael E East, age 41, from Parksley, Virginia, Accomack county.

Service era: Iraq
Military history: Mosquito

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Frederick V III Watkins, age 36, from Virginia Beach, City of, Virginia.

Service era: Iraq

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Richard L Summerell, age 51, from Franklin, City of, Virginia.

Spouse: Ellen (married 25 years)

Service era: Iraq

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Staunton Daily News Leader (2001), Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Gregory T Skurupey, age 35, from Gloucester, Virginia, Gloucester county.

Service era: Iraq

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Dean J Shelby, age 40, from Virginia Beach, City of, Virginia.

Service era: Iraq

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Edwin B Richardson, age 35, from Virginia Beach, City of, Virginia.

Service era: Iraq

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Matthew E Kidd, age 24, from Hampton, City of, Virginia.

Service era: Iraq
Military history: 36th Iowa

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Randy V Johnson, age 41, from Emporia, City of, Virginia.

Children: Daughter, 9 months

Service era: Iraq
Military history: Pioneer Corps

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Stauton Daily New Leader (2001), Pensacola New Journal (2001)

James Patrick Ferguson, age 42, from Newport News, City of, Virginia.

Service era: Iraq

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)

Ronald L Elkin, age 44, from Norfolk, City of, Virginia.

Service era: Iraq

Date of death: Saturday, March 3, 2001
Death details: Among 18 Virginia Guard engineers and 3 Florida Army National Guard aviators who died when their plane crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Georgia. They were returning home after completing a 2 week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Investigators blamed the crash on an overloaded plane with too much crago in the rear.

Source: Library of Virginia, Richmond; Virginia National Guard, Pensacola New Journal (2001)