Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott A. Saboe

Died November 15, 2003 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

33, of Willow Lake, S.D.; assigned to 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed Nov. 15 when two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters went down in Mosul, Iraq.

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South Dakotan killed in Black Hawk crash

Associated Press

A South Dakotan was killed in the Nov. 14 crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in Mosul, Iraq.

Scott Saboe, 33, was born and raised in Willow Lake, graduating from high school in 1989. His father, Arlo, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, said he had not been told much about what happened.

Arlo Saboe’s wife and brother died in the last three years, a family friend said. Scott Saboe has a wife and a 6-year-old child.

Saboe was a serious, committed man who planned a military career, friends said.

“He died doing what he loved, and he was a dedicated soldier. That’s all there is to it,” said Bill Stobbs, a former teacher and football coach who now is the principal at Willow Lake.

Saboe played center on the football team and was on the basketball and track teams.

Willow Lake has pulled together to support Saboe’s father, Stobbs said.

“Soon as people heard the news, there was just person after person showing up at his house,” Stobbs said.

Willow Lake farmer Curwin Bratland, a high school friend, said a group of friends recently sent a greeting card to Saboe in Iraq.

“I wrote to him, said I’m very proud of him and everything that they’ve done,” Bratland said. “I said I hope he gets back, and we’ll have a cold one together.”

Scott Saboe “was giving his all and believing what he was doing,” said Darin Michalski, a childhood friend. “That’s what makes me most proud of him, I guess. Most of us can go through our whole lives and don’t really accomplish anything, and some of us only live to be 33, and we’re heroes.”

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Funeral held for soldier killed in Iraq

WILLOW LAKE, S.D. — A crowd estimated at more than 600 attended the funeral Wednesday for Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott Saboe, a Willow Lake soldier killed Nov. 15 in the crash of two Army helicopters in Iraq.

Saboe, 33, was described as soldier who served his country proudly.

Capt. John Butora of the 101st Airborne Division said Saboe was “the best and brightest pilot we had, he was always the guy we’d turn to in a pinch.”

Saboe always kept his comrades upbeat in difficult situations, Butora said.

“He leaves behind a legacy of faith, honor and service to his country,” said Maj. Gen. Kevin Campbell. “His name joins other American who gave their lives to preserve our freedom.”

The funeral was held in the Willow Lake School gym.

The 1989 Willow Lake High School graduate was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously before being buried with full military honors.

Saboe is survived by his wife, Franceska, and 6-year-old son, Dustin, of Newton, Ala.

On Tuesday, Pfc. Sheldon Hawk Eagle, another South Dakotan killed in the same crash, was buried near Sturgis. Hawk Eagle was from Eagle Butte.

Seventeen soldiers were killed in the crash.

— Associated Press