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First Name: Corey

Last Name: Goodnature

Birthplace: Albert Lea, MN, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: James



Date of Birth: 13 February 1970

Date of Death: 28 June 2005

Rank: Chief Warrant Officer 3

Years Served: 1991 - 2005
Corey James Goodnature

   
Engagements:
•  Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2001 - present)
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

CW3 Corey J. Goodnature died June 28, 2005, in eastern Afghanistan when his MH-47D helicopter was shot down by enemy fire during combat operations. He was born Feb. 13, 1970 in Albert Lea, MN. Goodnature graduated from the University of Minnesota with an Associate’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1991, and joined the Army in October of 1991. He served as a parachute rigger at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, N.C. He attended the Warrant Officer Basic Course at Fort Rucker, AL. In 1996 he was assigned to Camp Wheeler, HI. He assessed for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in 1998 and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 160th SOAR(A) at Hunter Army Air Field, GA as an MH-47D Chinook pilot.

On June 28, 2005 a team of Navy SEALs came under intense fire in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan. In answer to their urgent radio calls for assistance, a special group of men leapt at the challenge. The men assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, based in Savannah, responded to the call. Two aircraft departed their firebase with a SEAL security team in an attempt to rescue the stricken SEALs. During landing, the lead aircraft was hit by Taliban and Al-Qaeda fire and crashed on the mountainside below. All eight aircrew along with eight fellow Navy SEALs were instantly killed.

Chief Warrant Officer Three Corey Goodnature was the Flight Lead Pilot of that aircraft. Corey and his fellow soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt to save others from harm. He and his crew responded to the challenge that day because that was their very nature. He’d rather die than quit, and he proved it that day. The 160th motto — “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!” — is how Corey lived his life. His devotion to that ethos and his fellow warriors was embodied in his death.

Goodnature’s military schools include:
Electronic Warfare Officers Course
CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Course
Air Assault Course
Survival Evade Resist Escape Course
CH-47D Instructor Pilot Course

His awards and decorations include:
The Air Medal
Senior Army Aviator Badge
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Overseas Service Ribbon

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and an Air Medal with Valor device and the Combat Action Badge.

He is survived by his wife Lori and two sons, Shea and Brennan; his parents Don & Debbie Goodnature of Clarks Grove, MN; and sister Amy Purdy (Ben) of Alden, MN.



Honoree ID: 8427   Created by: MHOH

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