James E. Groves III

James joined the Army in 1994 after graduating High School. He began his military career in Military Intelligence, after two years he decided that Air Assault would be more exciting.

Two years later he married and by 2000 he was ready for a new challenge.

He applied for OCS and was accepted. As an officer, he could apply for flight school. By 2002 he was flying OH-58D helicopters.

2003 was the first deployment to Iraq. He did another deployment to Iraq and then one to Afghanistan. December 2012 came with another deployment to Afghanistan.

He died in a helicopter accident March 16 2013, 6 months prior to coming home and 1 1/2 years prior to retirement. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons, a sister and his parents.

CW3 James E Groves III was killed in action on March 16, 2013, near Kandahar, Afghanistan. He entered active duty service on August 19, 1994, and served six years as an enlisted Soldier, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. In 2001 he attended Warrant Officer Candidate School. In 2003, he completed flight school and became qualified for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.

In 2003 and 2007, he deployed to Iraq. In 2009, he completed the Instructor Pilot Course and deployed to Afghanistan. In 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan as the Troop Standardization Pilot with the 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade 3rd Infantry Division.