Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston

Died August 6, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.

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Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 36, of West Hyannisport, Mass., was remembered as a kind and gregarious man who lived his dream when he joined the elite force.

Houston was a 1994 graduate of Barnstable High School, where he was captain of the football team his senior year.

He enlisted in January 1995, the Navy said, and became a SEAL in May 1999. He reported to Naval Special Warfare Group Two in December 2005. He joined his East Coast-based SEAL team in January 2008.

Christopher Kelly, a Vietnam veteran who became Houston’s mentor and father figure, said Houston used to make time to visit Cape Cod when he had leave even though his family was in Chesapeake, Va.

Houston’s mother, Jan Brown, told the Cape Cod Times of Hyannis that her son was born to be a SEAL.

Houston leaves behind a wife and three children.

His decorations include two Bronze Stars with ‘V’ devices for valor; Purple Heart; Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ device for valor; two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals; Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Battle ‘E’ Ribbon; Navy ‘E’ Ribbon; three Good Conduct Medals; National Defense Service Medal; two Afghanistan Campaign Medals; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Rifle Marksmanship Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

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Va. memorial held for SEAL killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Friends and family are remembering a Navy SEAL who was killed in Afghanistan during a helicopter crash.

Chief Petty Officer Kevin Houston of West Hyannisport, Mass., was honored during a private ceremony Thursday at the Virginia Beach church he attended.

He was one of 30 servicemembers killed on Saturday during a mission to help fellow troops who had come under fire. He was 35. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Hundreds of Navy personnel and Houston's friends poured into Atlantic Shores Baptist Church for the service. His family has declined interview requests.

Houston's family was escorted onto church grounds by dozens of motorcyclists, many of whom carried American flags.

Houston served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His numerous awards include a Bronze Star medal with Valor.

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Fallen SEAL honored on Cape Cod

The Associated Press

BARNSTABLE, Mass. — Hometown friends in Massachusetts have paid tribute to a Navy SEAL killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

Kevin Houston was one of 30 Americans killed with eight Afghans on Aug. 6.

Although Houston was living in Chesapeake, Va., with his wife and three children when he died at age 36, he grew up on Cape Cod, where he still had strong ties.

A memorial service was held for him Saturday at Barnstable High School.

A party was planned for Saturday night that will include a silent auction to raise money for Houston's family. The Cape Cod Times reports that items up for bid include signed sports memorabilia and Jimmy Buffett tickets.

Organizers say everyone is invited, because Houston was the kind of guy who was instant friends with everyone he met.