Army Sgt. Daniel M. Eshbaugh

Died September 17, 2008 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

43, of Norman, Okla.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, Task Force 34, Oklahoma National Guard, Lexington, Okla.; died Sept. 17 when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in went down in the vicinity of Tallil, Iraq. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Corry A. Edwards, Sgt. Anthony L. Mason, 1st Sgt. Julio C. Ordonez, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brady J. Rudolf, Cpl. Michael E. Thompson and 1st Lt. Robert Vallejo II.

Guardsman remembered as hard worker, quick learner

The Associated Press

Maj. Pete Barger, a Chinook pilot for the Oklahoma Guard, said he first met Sgt. Daniel M. Eshbaugh during their first deployment to Iraq in 2003. Eshbaugh served as a flight engineer.

“He always wanted a little bit more. He expanded from just the engines to learning the aircraft. He got that knowledge, he got that step down, and from beyond that he wanted to become crew member. That was one of his goals,” Barger said. Eshbaugh, 43, of Norman, Okla., was killed Sept. 18 when his helicopter went down near Tallil. Eshbaugh was assigned to Lexington, Okla.

Originally from Chicago, Eshbaugh first enlisted in the Air Force in 1982, where he served for 10 years. After a six-year break, he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1998, staying until 2000. Daniel re-enlisted in the Guard in 2002.

He is survived by his wife, Rachel, and children Ashley, Jessica, Bryan, and Jordan.

Last month, Rachel Eshbaugh posted the following message on her husband’s MySpace page, “Hey, I just wanted to say stay safe and strong. I am very proud of you for what you are doing. I will be waiting for you when you get home. Love you.”