One of the soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq last week was from San Antonio.
The CH-47 Chinook was en route to Balad Air Base after midnight on September 18th and was about 60 miles west of Basra at the time of the crash.
Seven national guardsman were killed in the crash. Four of those were from Texas, including 1st Sgt. Julio Ordonez of San Antonio. The other three were from Oklahoma.
First Sgt. Ordonez was posthumously promoted to Sergeant Major and is survived by his wife Leticia, sons Julio and Jacob, and daughters Joyce and Judith.
Sgt. Major Ordonez was born in Honduras and joined the military on 29 Apr, 1982. Before joining the Texas Army National Guard he served with HHC, 6-112th in Arkansas as a helicopter engineer. His awards include: Army Achievement Medal, national Defense Service Medal, and Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development ribbon.
The army believes a mechanical problem caused the crash. The crash is currently under investigation.
