Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Earl R. Scott III

Died November 8, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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24, of Jacksonville, Fla.; assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died Nov. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his OH-58D helicopter crashed. Also killed was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mathew C. Heffelfinger.

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‘He loved the freedom’ of the skies

The Associated Press

Earl “Scotty” Scott, an Army helicopter pilot, always loved the freedom of flying and never feared being in the air. He didn’t want anyone else to be afraid of it, either.

Nick Bradley, one of Scott’s close friends, recalled going on a plane ride with Scott at the controls. Scott urged his friend to take over, and decided he’d have a little fun when Bradley refused.

“He let go and we started falling. I had a full-blown heart attack that time,” Bradley said.

Scott, 24, of Jacksonville, Fla., died Nov. 8 when his helicopter crashed in Tikrit, Iraq. He was assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Scott had started his own lawn care business as a teen, but sold the business so he could pursue a career in aviation. He joined the Army in 2006.

The pilot loved to go camping, fishing, surfing and kite surfing. Friends and family also said he enjoyed playing drums. But he liked nothing more than being in the air.

“He loved the freedom of it, being able to fly where he wanted to,” said his father, Earl Scott Jr. “I know he was doing what he wanted to do and I know he was proud to serve his country.”

Among other survivors are his mother, Sandra; a brother, William; and his girlfriend, Tara Reyna.