NJ Navy SEAL Killed Serving in Afghanistan

A Toms River, N.J. native died in helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense identified four of the nine American troops killed in the worst coalition helicopter crash in Afghanistan in four years.

Amongst the dead was 24-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class Denis Miranda of Toms River, N.J.

Other sailors killed in the crash during combat operations a day earlier included 29-year-old Lt. Brendan Looney of Owings, Md., 30-year-old Senior Chief Petty Officer David McLendon of Thomasville, Ga. and 26-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Smith of
Hurland, Mo.

McLendon was assigned to a Naval Special Warfare unit. Looney, Smith and Miranda were assigned to SEAL teams.

Five members of the Fort Campbell, Ky.-based 101st Combat Aviation Brigade were also killed, but have not been named yet.


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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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