U.S. Marine Capt. Nathan McHone is seen in a 2001 high school yearbook photo. McHone died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Jan. 19, 2012. (Photo Handout)
Reporting Vince Gerasole
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CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (CBS) – The town of Crystal Lake was mourning the loss of a local Marine whose helicopter crashed last Thursday in Afghanistan.
Marine Capt. Nathan McHone, 29, graduated from Crystal Lake South High School in 2001. As CBS 2′s Vince Gerasole reports, McHone, a helicopter pilot, was among six marines killed when a CH-53 helicopter crashed in the southern Afghan province of Helmand on Thursday.
They were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Officials said it does not appear the Taliban shot the helicopter down.
In Crystal Lake, McHone was remembered Sunday by his teacher and track coach as a sincere and respectful young man.
“It’s kind of cliché to say, but just an all-American kid and young man. He’s just a wonderful role model to others and truly treated people like you’d want to see everybody be treated,” Bill Altman said.
McHone was a decorated pilot serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan
The crash that killed McHone was the deadliest in Afghanistan since August, when 30 American troops died when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in the center of the country.
