Soldier From Fort Collins Who Died In Afghanistan Was Heavily Decorated

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4)- Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth R. White, 35, of Fort Collins, was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

He died June 5, in Khost province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered as a result of a helicopter crash. Chief Warrant Officer Bradley J. Gaudet, 31, of Gladewater, Texas, also died.

Both men were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

White is survived by his wife and 3 children.

White joined the U.S. Army in 1994, went to flight school in 2002, completed training, and has been serving at Fort Drum since July 2003.

He deployed with his unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom twice, from August 2005 to September 2006 and October 2008 to October 2009. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2010.

White's awards and decorations include two Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, two Iraq Campaign Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Army Aviator Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Senior Aviator Badge.