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Remembering Danny Randolph: National Guardsman killed in Black Hawk crash hailed as ‘true American hero’

Danny Randolph, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Murfreesboro, served in the military for a remarkable 13 years

MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA: Two veterans of Tennessee National Guardsmen were killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash after it plummeted onto an Alabama highway near Huntsville. Authorities have identified the victims on board the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter as Daniel Wadham, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Joelton, and Danny Randolph, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Murfreesboro, according to Daily Mail.

The two pilots were participating in flight training and heading toward the Huntsville Executive Airport in Alabama when the tragedy occurred on Wednesday, February 15, as previously reported by MEAWW. The helicopter came crashing down near Highway 53 and Burwell Road causing roadblocks, traffic jams, and heavy delays.

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Who was Danny Randolph?

Danny Randolph is remembered as a "true American hero." The late veteran was married with three kids. The Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Murfreesboro served in the military for a remarkable 13 years. "Words cannot express my sorrow for the loss of these two Tennessee National Guardsmen," Gen. Warner Ross said at a press conference. "It is felt not only within the ranks of the Tennessee National Guard, but across our entire military community."

'It's a pile of rubble!'

Numerous footage from the crash near Highway 53 emerged. One footage shows a thick black smoke covering the crash site. The Madison County Sheriff's Office described the horrifying crash as said the helicopter allegedly caught on fire when the firefighters arrived. The Sheriff's Office said the helicopter "exploded on impact and was burning" when firefighters arrived, adding "It's a pile of rubble." Although, the fire was quickly extinguished. Danny Randolph and Daniel Wadham were assigned to Nashville’s Berry Field Air National Guard Base.

Another horrifying video captured the moment, the helicopter coil through the sky before a loud explosion erupted. Grief-stricken military colleagues were heartbroken to learn about the loss of Wadham and Randolph. "Words fail me… I’ve been pretty much speechless since last night," Ambi Stewart Smith wrote on Facebook. "Danny was such a light in whatever space he was in. A hero you are indeed." "You're next flight is heaven," another chimed in while sharing a photo of Randolph, reported the source. However, an investigation is ongoing to figure out the details of what caused Wadham and Randolph's aircraft to crash.