Senior Chief Petty Officer David B., McLendon, 30, of Thomasville, Ga., was a Navy cryptologic technician assigned to an east coast Naval Special Warfare unit. He entered the Navy in 1998 and was a graduate of Thomas County Central High School in Georgia. During his 12-year Navy career, McLendon served at various Navy commands in Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, and Brunswick, Maine. His fellow service members said they remember McLendon as a consummate Navy professional. McClendon is survived by his wife and parents.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Adam O. Smith, 26, of Hurland Mo., and Petty Officer 3rd Class (SEAL) Denis C. Miranda, 24, of Toms River, N.J. were among those that also perished in the helicopter crash. All three were all based at Little Creek.

The SEALs are the Navy's special operations arm, consisting of 2,500 men who wear the hard-won trident pin.

The Sailors were all highly accomplished service members, and recipients of numerous awards and citations.

McLendon's awards included the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal, Navy Battle "E" Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. "These men bravely and unselfishly answered the nation's call to defend freedom and protect the nation and its allies from terrorism," said Rear Adm. Winters. "The loss of these brave warriors will only strengthen our resolve in the fight against extremism and terror."

"He loved to go fishing," Kelly Lockman said of her brother, who went by his middle name. Lockman said that when he came home in June, he went with family and friends to Turner Field in Atlanta to see the Braves game. "It was the first time he'd been there," she said. The body was to arrive Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, family members said. The Thomasville GA community is rallying around a man described as a warrior and fallen hero. Tributes are being planned for David Blake McLendon. Local flags are being flown at half-staff in honor of Senior Chief Petty Officer McLendon, a 1998 Thomas County Central High School graduate, who served in Naval Special Warfare.