Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan T. McCaughn, 19, of Manchester, N.H., was killed while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq, according to Department of Defense. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune.

Chief Warrant Officer Miles P. Henderson, 24, of Canadian, Texas, and Chief Warrant Officer John R. Priestner, 42, of Pennsylvania died when their AH-64D Apache helicopter crashed in Balad.

Both men were assigned to the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

Henderson's mother, Terry, said Wednesday that her son had asked her to have the following said about him were he to die while in Iraq: "Miles loved his Lord, his family and his country," she said, "and he was proud and honored to serve."

Col. Kelly Thomas, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade commander, said Henderson "was a well-trained Apache pilot who quickly achieved pilot in command status." Thomas described Priestner as "an excellent safety officer, a professional warrant officer and a meticulous Apache pilot."

Henderson deployed to Iraq on July 22, three weeks after marrying his wife in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Terry Henderson said. He had been awarded both the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.

Henderson is survived by his wife, Artis, and his parents, Brad and Terry Henderson of Canadian, Texas.

Priestner was a AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter pilot, serving in Operation Desert Storm and later with the Pennsylvania National Guard. He came to Fort Bragg in 2002.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Air Medal (3rd Award), the Army Commendation Medal and the Master Army Aviator Badge.

Priestner is survived by his wife, Teresa; two daughters, Breanne and Megan of Sanford, N.C.; his mother, Linnea Priestner of North Charleston, S.C.; and his father, Richard Priestner of Le Raysville, Pa.

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