1LT John R. Hunter

20 December 1989, Panama

160th SOAR

First Lieutenant John R. Hunter, of Victor, Montana, died on 20 December 1989 while supporting Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama.

Hunter enlisted in the Army in 1976 and volunteered for Flight Warrant Officer training in 1979. He flew AH-1 helicopters in Company A, 214th Aviation Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington, for several years before joining the 160th Special Operations Aviation Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. As a Chief Warrant Officer Two, Hunter elected to pursue a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1987. After completing the Aviation Basic Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, 2LT Hunter returned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Battalion, where he served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer.

1LT Hunter died from injuries received when his AH-6 helicopter crashed near Telfers Island, Panama. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Group at the time of his death.