(Father and Son)
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We Honor and Remember:
CW2 Nicholas P. DiMona II
Hometown: Barrington/Medford Lakes, NJ. Age: 32 years old. Died: June 22, 2004, in a crash of his Apache Longbow helicopter, during a nighttime training session at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. Unit: 1-3 Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, GA. Birth: Jun. 8, 1972, Barrington, Camden County, New Jersey, USA. Chief Warrant Officer II Nicholas DiMona enlisted in the United States Army in June of 1990. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and was stationed at White Sands, New Mexico, followed by a tour in Illesheim, Germany. After fulfilling his commitment, he returned to New Jersey on Reserve Status. During that time, he married Melissa Saunders and rejoined the Army in November of 1997. His next assignment was to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Ft. Campbell, KY, as a crew chief on the AH-60 DAPP aircraft. He also attended the Army SERE School and the Air Force Interrogation School. In February 1999, he celebrated the birth of his son, Nicholas P. DiMona III. In February 2000, CW2 DiMona began the Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, AL. After graduating and earning the rank of WO1, Mr. DiMona began Rotary Wing Flight Training at which he excelled. Upon completion of flight training, CW2 DiMona was qualified to fly the TH-67 Bell Jet Ranger, the OH-58 A/C Kiowa, and the AH-64D Longbow Apache. After flight school, CW2 DiMona was assigned to 1-3 Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, GA in November 2001. In January 2002, he celebrated the birth of his baby girl, Gianna. CW2 later deployed with 1-3 AVN Regiment to spearhead the successful unit efforts during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He flew over 47 combat hours and earned the Army Air Medal for his services and bravery. Upon returning from Iraq, CW2 DiMona earned the title of Pilot in Command, thereby proving his superior abilities as an aviator and professional officer. His awards and decorations include: The Army Air Medal, The Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, The Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Army Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Aviation Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army Aviator Badge. He died in a crash of his Apache Longbow helicopter, during a nighttime training session at Ft. Stewart, Georgia along with a fellow crewman, William Loffer, 26, of Indiana. Survived by family and friends. Cherished forever. Burial with full honors at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetry, Wrightstown, NJ. Burial: Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery , Wrightstown, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA. Plot: O2 4636 Bravery in Combat--A Soldier's Story: CW2 Nick DiMona
When our military ground forces stormed the border into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, it was the help and support of our air defenses that enabled them to accomplish their mission. When the first aircraft led the charge into Iraq, CW2 Nick DiMona, an Apache Longbow pilot with the 1-3 Aviation Regiment's Charlie Company, was right there. CW2 DiMona recalled being "a little nervous, a little tension the first time in the Super Bowl, as we call it," but added, "once you get into the mix of things, your training, you just go back to your training and it comes natural." The heavily armed Apache Longbows of Charlie Company would fly five major missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom, taking out the enemy's observation points and vehicles. CW2 DiMona's Apache alone would fire three hellfire missiles and eight rockets to clear the way for ground troops; but it was their other support missions that would bring the most satisfaction. "The most gratifying part of being over there weren't the deliberate missions," DiMona said, "but the med-evac missions--the med-evac escort, escorting an unarmed Blackhawk with sometimes multiple systems failures in enemy territory to ensure the safety of injured American soldiers and sometimes wounded Iraqi soldiers and get them back to the MASH units." 1-3 Aviation did not lose anyone in Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the war was not without its close calls. As CW2 DiMona recalled, "We went in on, I would say, a lot of on-call missions. We flew in and flew around helping the ground guys, looking for the enemy within the engagement areas and at one point, we found ourselves in the engagement area with rounds coming inbound." For their role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, DiMona and the aviators of 1-3 Aviation were awarded the Air Medal. He said he's "very proud and honored." But this decorated war veteran says he's no hero. "I consider what I did my job," he said. "Unfortunately, the fallen comrades, I consider them the heroes. They made the ultimate sacrifice." Although he has been home now for seven months, they are constantly on his mind today, along with the men and women still serving in Iraq. "Every night, my children and I say our prayers and we pray for their safe and speedy return." CW2 DiMona says he is very proud of the 1-3 Aviation Regiment and the entire Third Infantry Division. He has always wanted to be a pilot and he's ready to go back if he's needed to serve our country in combat again. Reported by: Liz Flynn, [email protected] |
2016 NJ Run For The Fallen.
(Click to enlarge)
Father, son die in Army training accidents 15 years apart. N.J. community mourns terrible tragedy.
(Updated: Apr. 03, 2019, 1:04 p.m. Published: Apr. 03, 2019, 11:32 a.m.)
Three years ago, Nicholas DiMona III carried a Gold Star banner during the NJ Run for the Fallen to honor his father and namesake, who was killed in an Army helicopter crash during a training accident in 2004. He then enlisted in the Army the next year.
Now, his name will join his Father's after he was accidentally shot and killed in a live-fire training exercise in Alaska.
Spc. DiMona, 20, of Medford Lakes, was assigned to the Army’s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and was with his unit near Fort Greely when the accident occurred. The incident is under investigation, army officials said.
DiMona graduated in 2016 from Shawnee High School. The loss of his father, Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas P. DiMona, II, inspired his decision to pursue a career in the Army, according to a statement released by the school.
“He always wanted to serve our country even though his family endured the tremendous loss of his father,” said Jenn Pulliam, a teacher at Shawnee and his neighbor.
Shawnee High School counselor Kevin Looney said DiMona expressed interest in joining the Army early in his high school career.
“In working with students, we often discuss potential plans for the future," Looney said in the statement. “With Nick it was easy, I think he told me the first time I met in his freshman year that he was going to be a soldier in the U.S. Army. That’s what he always wanted, and what makes this terrible news even more heart breaking.”
While Shawnee doesn’t offer a JROTC program, DiMona accepted an award in 2015 on behalf of his father at the school’s Annual Armed Services Awards Ceremony, which honors students entering the military or family members that have served. When he enlisted in 2017, DiMona shared proud photos of him in uniform with his friends on social media.“Congrats Nick,” reads a friend’s comment on a 2017 photo. “Good job buddy so proud of you. I’m sure your father is smiling down at you and is so proud also.”
DiMona’s father, Nicholas P. DiMona, II died when his his Apache Longbow helicopter crashed during a night training flight in Georgia on June 22, 2004. He had flown in the Iraq War and was a lead pilot during the first combat mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He was 32. DiMona II was memorialized during Waterford Township’s War Memorial Committee’s “Honor and Remember Flag Presentation” dinner in 2017. The family honored their fallen father and husband several times a year, including at the NJ Run For The Fallen they would annually attend, president of the run Mike Simpson said.
“Nick came out and ran with our team for his father’s hero mile in 2016,” Simpson said. His younger sister ran in 2018, he said.
DiMona’s training death on Saturday was felt across the community, particularly at the local YMCA, where his mother Melissa works and DiMona had served as a lifeguard.
“We, at the YMCA of the Pines, are heartbroken at the untimely and tragic death of 20-year-old Nick DiMona III," the organization wrote on Facebook. “Nick practically grew up here, starting out as a camper and then joining the staff as a junior counselor, counselor, lifeguard and member of the School’s Out staff.”
(Updated: Apr. 03, 2019, 1:04 p.m. Published: Apr. 03, 2019, 11:32 a.m.)
Three years ago, Nicholas DiMona III carried a Gold Star banner during the NJ Run for the Fallen to honor his father and namesake, who was killed in an Army helicopter crash during a training accident in 2004. He then enlisted in the Army the next year.
Now, his name will join his Father's after he was accidentally shot and killed in a live-fire training exercise in Alaska.
Spc. DiMona, 20, of Medford Lakes, was assigned to the Army’s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and was with his unit near Fort Greely when the accident occurred. The incident is under investigation, army officials said.
DiMona graduated in 2016 from Shawnee High School. The loss of his father, Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas P. DiMona, II, inspired his decision to pursue a career in the Army, according to a statement released by the school.
“He always wanted to serve our country even though his family endured the tremendous loss of his father,” said Jenn Pulliam, a teacher at Shawnee and his neighbor.
Shawnee High School counselor Kevin Looney said DiMona expressed interest in joining the Army early in his high school career.
“In working with students, we often discuss potential plans for the future," Looney said in the statement. “With Nick it was easy, I think he told me the first time I met in his freshman year that he was going to be a soldier in the U.S. Army. That’s what he always wanted, and what makes this terrible news even more heart breaking.”
While Shawnee doesn’t offer a JROTC program, DiMona accepted an award in 2015 on behalf of his father at the school’s Annual Armed Services Awards Ceremony, which honors students entering the military or family members that have served. When he enlisted in 2017, DiMona shared proud photos of him in uniform with his friends on social media.“Congrats Nick,” reads a friend’s comment on a 2017 photo. “Good job buddy so proud of you. I’m sure your father is smiling down at you and is so proud also.”
DiMona’s father, Nicholas P. DiMona, II died when his his Apache Longbow helicopter crashed during a night training flight in Georgia on June 22, 2004. He had flown in the Iraq War and was a lead pilot during the first combat mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He was 32. DiMona II was memorialized during Waterford Township’s War Memorial Committee’s “Honor and Remember Flag Presentation” dinner in 2017. The family honored their fallen father and husband several times a year, including at the NJ Run For The Fallen they would annually attend, president of the run Mike Simpson said.
“Nick came out and ran with our team for his father’s hero mile in 2016,” Simpson said. His younger sister ran in 2018, he said.
DiMona’s training death on Saturday was felt across the community, particularly at the local YMCA, where his mother Melissa works and DiMona had served as a lifeguard.
“We, at the YMCA of the Pines, are heartbroken at the untimely and tragic death of 20-year-old Nick DiMona III," the organization wrote on Facebook. “Nick practically grew up here, starting out as a camper and then joining the staff as a junior counselor, counselor, lifeguard and member of the School’s Out staff.”
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